Poland to reinforce its missile defense with Germany’s Patriot missiles

Europe, News November 22, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Poland announced its plans to reinforce its missile defense capabilities to protect the country from missiles of neighboring warring states of Russia and Ukraine.

Last week, an accidental missile strike from Ukraine’s S-300, claimed two lives in Przewodow, a Polish city near the Ukrainian border.

Germany had offered its Patriot missile system to be deployed at the Polish-Ukrainian border. Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has announced that he has “received with satisfaction” the offer of his German counterpart, Christine Lambrecht, who said Germany could deploy some of its Patriot launchers to protect Poland from missile strikes.

The decision comes following a conversation between the two defense ministers. Blaszczak tweeted that “the German Defence Minister has confirmed her willingness to place Patriot launchers near the border” with Ukraine.

The number of launchers, their variant, and time of delivery, among others, were to be further discussed by both allies. “The version of the system remains to be determined, as does how quickly they will reach us and how long they will be stationed,” Blaszczak stated.

Berlin offered Warsaw the Patriot missile defense system to help secure its airspace after a stray Ukrainian missile crashed in Poland last week, German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht also announced that his government is willing to offer its eastern neighbor further help in air policing with German Eurofighters.

The announcement came at a time when it was being assumed that the missile that hit Poland, was launched by Russia, raising the fears that the war in Ukraine could spill across the border. However, leaders of Poland and NATO later said that there was no indication that the missile strike in Poland resulted from a deliberate attack or that Russia was preparing offensive military actions against NATO.

Being a NATO member country, the missile strike in Poland alerted the NATO machinery, however, it was soon concluded that the missile strike was not a deliberate attempt to attack a NATO member state, instead, it was a missile strike accidentally caused by the Ukrainian air defense system. “This is not Ukraine’s fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels following the strike.

Missiles. Drones. Enemy aircraft. Patriot can see and stop them all. Courtesy: Raytheon — *^{Patriot Missile Defense System can hit missiles, drones, and aircraft. (Image Credit: Raytheon)}*

NATO allies offered their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of life and expressed solidarity with Poland while pledging support for Ukraine in its right to self-defense. Stoltenberg also said there were no signs that Russia was planning to attack NATO countries, in comments apparently intended to defuse tensions. “NATO stands united and we will always do what is necessary to protect and defend all Allies,” he added.

Poland is already working on enhancing its air defense capabilities by developing mid-range air defense systems. Blaszczak announced in May this year that his ministry had requested the U.S. government to provide Patriot batteries and related gear with a $4.75 billion price tag.