Poland receives concrete declarations from its NATO allies, says national defence minister
Poland has received concrete declarations from its NATO allies, including the Netherlands, which is accelerating the delivery of two of its three Patriot batteries and sending 300 soldiers, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of national defence Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced in the Sejm. He added that the NATO Military Committee will soon discuss the issue of strengthening the defence of the eastern flank, and Poland is submitting the relevant requirements.
He added that the Czechs have declared that they will deploy three Mi-17 helicopters, while the French and British have declared their assistance in securing the eastern flank with Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft.
Poland's national defence minister presented information about the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones on September 9–10 to the lower house of Polish parliament, Sejm.
"All NATO countries, including Denmark, whose minister I will be talking to today, confirm their allied unity," said Kosiniak-Kamysz.
He pointed out that these are not just words of solidarity, but concrete declarations.
"Today, we have concrete declarations. The Dutch are speeding up the delivery of two of their three Patriot batteries to Poland. They have decided to deploy short-range air defence systems and anti-drone defence systems. They are sending 300 soldiers," Kosiniak-Kamysz told Sejm.
"Our southern neighbours, the Czechs, are making concrete declarations about delegating three Mi-17 helicopters, highly experienced teams and about 100 soldiers. Both the French and the British are making declarations on securing NATO's eastern flank in the form of Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft," he added.
Kosiniak reported on talks with the Swedish defence minister.
"They [Swedes - MI ed.] recently purchased Polish Piorun missiles. Now they want to send their aircraft and security measures once again for anti-aircraft, anti-missile, air defence and allied air defence reinforcement," he said.
Poland's national defence minister emphasised that the aim of consultations with NATO members under Article 4 is to develop an appropriate response to Russian provocations.
Kosiniak-Kamysz recalled that a year ago, on Poland's initiative, Operation Baltic Sentry was launched in the Baltic Sea. In his opinion, a similar operation should be launched on NATO's eastern flank.
"In almost 30 minutes, the NATO Military Committee will meet to discuss measures to strengthen the defence of NATO's eastern flank. We are submitting relevant comments and requirements," he announced.
jz/ ao/
