Mariusz Błaszczak spoke as he attended the launch of the new unit in the northwestern coastal town of Dziwnów, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The new combat team is part of Poland’s Formoza special force.
The Polish defence minister said: “We are aware of the threats posed by Russia’s aggressive policy. We must be prepared for various provocations, and so Poland’s critical infrastructure must be well protected.”
Błaszczak added that “the special forces guarantee the best protection of critical infrastructure."
He said Formoza comprised well-trained commandos who had undergone training with America’s Navy SEALs and Marines.
He praised Formoza soldiers as “mission-hardened troops with international experience who are focused on protecting critical infrastructure.”
Błaszczak stressed that special forces were “an important part” of the Polish army and told reporters that the government aimed to expand the country's special forces in terms of both troop numbers and modern weapons in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The defence minister said Poland’s special forces were being strengthened with “sniper’s weapons, among other modern weaponry” and would also receive another batch of Black Hawk helicopters by the end of 2023, the PAP news agency reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday is day 545 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP