Mateusz Morawiecki made the declaration at the US Naval Support Facility in Redzikowo, northern Poland, on Saturday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
In his speech, the prime minister stressed that “it is as vital to defend Polish skies as it is to defend Polish land,” amid threats such as Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
He stated: “We are well aware of this, and so we are investing unprecedented resources in the programme of the defence of Polish skies, as well as in the defence of Polish land.”
Morawiecki said: “The modernisation of the Polish army and its integration within the entire NATO defence system is unprecedented. It makes Poland safer today than ever before.”
The prime minister confirmed that the missile defence base at Redzikowo, the final part of the US missile defence shield over Europe, would be completed by the end of 2023 and achieve full operational readiness in 2024.
He said: “We are practically on the eve of completing this big phase of the implementation of the missile defence shield.”
Morawiecki added: “The whole facility and its IT systems will be ready by the end of the year. I am very proud to say that the Polish and American specialists who work here are among the best missile defence operators.”
The prime minister said the launch of the missile defence base at Redzikowo would be accomplished thanks to the determined policy of his conservative government, led by the Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Polish section of US missile defence shield over Europe
Earlier this month, the US government’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA), announced that the missile defence site at Redzikowo in northern Poland would be completed and ready for acceptance tests by the US Navy by the end of 2023, the PAP news agency reported at the time.
The MDA said that the launch of the Redzikowo site would mark the completion of the 2009 US ballistic missile defence strategy for Europe, the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA).
A US contribution to NATO’s missile defence system, the EPAA is designed to protect Europe against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles launched from Iran, according to the US-based Arms Control Association.
In addition to the site in northern Poland, the EPAA comprises an Aegis Ashore site at Deveselu Air Base in Romania, a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) radar at Kürecik, Turkey, and a command centre at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the PAP news agency reported.
Moreover, ballistic missile defence (BMD)-capable US Navy Aegis ships are stationed at a naval base in Rota, Spain, according to officials.
A final part of the system, the Aegis Ashore Poland site at Redzikowo will host an AN/SPY-1 radar, Mk 41 VLS launchers and anti-ballistic SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) rockets, the PAP news agency reported.
Riki Ellison, founder and chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, an American NGO, said the Aegis Ashore system would deter a "limited first strike" by an enemy, protecting Polish citizens and the country's critical infrastructure, according to PAP.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Saturday is day 507 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm)
Source: PAP, tvp.info, gov.pl
