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Poland takes lead in deploying groundbreaking defense system, says US ambassador

18.12.2024 15:00
U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski highlighted that Poland is the first country to fully implement the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS). He called this innovative technology a "game-changer."
Polish Deputy PM and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (center), outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski (left), and Brigadier General Dr. Michał Marciniak (right) during a conference in Sochaczew, December 18, 2024.
Polish Deputy PM and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (center), outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski (left), and Brigadier General Dr. Michał Marciniak (right) during a conference in Sochaczew, December 18, 2024.PAP/Marian Zubrzycki

The U.S. top diplomat highlighted that even the American Army is only beginning to implement this system and congratulated Poland on this historic milestone.

The IBCS is a critical component of modernizing air and missile defense capabilities. Polish-American cooperation on this technology aims to secure the skies over Central Europe.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during a visit to the 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade on Wednesday in Sochaczew, near Warsaw, called the integration of Poland’s Wisła system with the IBCS a "milestone" in building the country’s air defense system.

"This is a historic moment and a significant achievement for the operational capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces," said Kosiniak-Kamysz. The politician described the IBCS as the "operational brain" of the Wisła system, allowing seamless coordination of various defense elements.

Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged that constructing an effective air defense system is Poland’s most challenging and costly endeavor. He expressed gratitude to American allies for their support and knowledge-sharing.

The minister also noted that Poland is drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine as it develops its systems.

The Wisła program, under which Poland has acquired Patriot missile batteries, forms a cornerstone of the nation’s multi-layered air defense strategy.

Poland receives 13 FlyEye drone systems for Territorial Defence Forces

Paweł Bejda, the Secretary of State in Poland's Ministry of National Defense, also announced that 13 sets of the most advanced FlyEye unmanned aerial systems have been delivered to the Territorial Defence Forces.

These systems are the result of contracts signed this year. Additional sets of equipment are expected to arrive in Poland soon.

Source: PAP/MON/X/@pawelbejda

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