2024-05-27 13:49 update: 2024-05-28, 14:01
Fot. PAP/Marcin Obara
Poland's Ministry of Defence has revealed the details of the 'Shield East' multi-year plan for 2024-2028 aimed at fortifying the Polish border with Belarus and Russia.
Poland's Ministry of Defence has revealed the details of the 'Shield East' multi-year plan for 2024-2028 aimed at fortifying the Polish border with Belarus and Russia.
The Polish government announced an allocation of PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.4 billion) to the 'Shield East' programme, which will also receive funding from the EU. Details of the project were revealed by the defence minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, at the headquarters of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces on Monday.
He said that the programme includes "fortifications, various types of barriers, but also state-of-the-art airspace monitoring systems in every parameter, at every altitude". The airspace technology, named the Barbara reconnaissance system consists of four aerostats at a cost of around USD 1 billion (EUR 923 million) and a satellite component, as well as state-of-the-art drone and anti-drone systems.
He also announced further work on the existing barrier on the Polish-Belarusian border, which is "a separate activity from 'Shield East'... [but] complementary", he said.
Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk detailed that the project would cover 700 kilometres of the Polish border, including 400 kilometres with Belarus. The Ministry wants the scheme to be implemented immediately and work will start later this year, he said on Monday.
Tomczyk also said the investment is to be completed by 2028.
The programme's tasks are to hinder the movement of enemy troops, facilitate the movement of the Polish troops, protect the population and ensure the utmost security of those who protect the Polish armed forces, Kosiniak-Kamysz said. He also drew attention to the perceived threat of economic migrants and refugees crossing the Polish-Belarusian border.
The activities under 'Shield East' will involve the local community and economic entities, the minister said, adding that for many years, people living along the Polish-Belarusian and Polish-Russian borders had made a living from cross-border economic exchange, which was no longer possible.
He said that businesses and residents in the surrounding areas would now make their living "from the security of the border". (PAP)
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