Poland launches first elements of its anti-drone system on Belarus border
Poland has launched the first module of the anti-drone system in Ozierany Wielkie, near the Polish-Belarusian border, as part of efforts to strengthen security against threats from unmanned aerial vehicles, interior minister has said.
Following the launch event on Thursday, Marcin Kierwinski told a press conference that the government's ambition is for Poland's "entire eastern border and the entire maritime border to be equipped with this type of system."
The device presented in Ozierany Wielkie is part of the system for detecting, recognising and countering flying objects, including drones. It consists of two elements - air-defence radars and radio scanners - to identify flying objects in order to later engage, shoot down or intercept them.
Kierwinski said that the anti-drone system module is "Polish technological innovation... developed by Polish scientists, Polish engineers... manufactured by Polish companies."
He added that the launch of the next five such devices is planned for the coming months, but for this to happen, one condition must be met - stable financing from the EU's defence loan plan SAFE.
"From this point, where we see the first anti-drone system on the Polish border, I want to make it clear and appeal to the president once again: Mr. President, the Polish border, Polish officers need modern equipment! SAFE funding is intended to build precisely these types of systems," Kierwinski said.
Last week, President Karol Nawrocki and the governor of the central bank NBP, Adam Glapinski, proposed an alternative "SAFE 0 percent" programme, financed with the assistance of the NBP. Both affiliated with the former ruling party, the socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS), they argued that through their initiative, Poland would avoid any additional dependence on Brussels. Nawrocki has until March 20 to decide whether to approve or veto the legislation enabling Poland to access the EU-sponsored SAFE loans. (PAP)
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