The modernization of the Navy is simply a long-term process which has accelerated importantly in fresh years – said Deputy Minister of Defence Paweł Zalewski in the Sejm, asked by Members about the improvement of the war fleet and Poland's participation in the Natov operation "Baltic worth". The MON besides provided information on controls on lost transport of mines.
During the session of the Sejm in consequence to alleged questions on current issues, Deputy Minister of Defence Paweł Zalewski spoke about Poland's safety in the Baltic Sea region and the situation of the Navy. – What actions have been taken and what are planned in the close future to develop, grow and modernise our war fleet? – Piotr Fear asked on behalf of the Polish Parliamentary Club 2050 – The 3rd Road. He besides wanted to know what actions were planned for participation in the Natovian Operation ‘Baltic Worth’? His clubmate Violet Tomczak in turn asked about the naval improvement strategy.
– The main nonsubjective of the naval modernisation is to accomplish key capabilities in individual systems: destruction, survival, military protection, reconnaissance and logistical safety of operations. This will enable the implementation of the precedence tasks of the MW at sea and from the sea both in the Baltic Sea region and beyond, as part of the national, allied or coalition operation carried out,” said Paweł Zalewski. The Deputy Minister of Defence reminded Members that the modernisation of the Navy is simply a long-term process which has been greatly accelerated in fresh years. As he stressed, the Armed Forces Agency is presently implementing contracts related to the acquisition of rocket frigates, among others Swordfishships Delfin radiolocation diagnosisMin destroyers Cormoran II, lifeboat ‘Rescue’ and NSM fire squadrons. “In addition, in the next years, ships of various classes, base vessels and autonomous and shore systems, including submarines of the fresh Orka type, multi-purpose corvettes, integrated marine protection systems Oyster, unmanned mine control systems, combined action support vessel, floating demagnetization stations, fuel tanker, logistics support vessel and hydrographic vessel, are planned to be acquired.
Paweł Zalewski besides recalled the planned modernization and modification of existing ships and marine systems (e.g. patrol corvettes “Sleep”), improvement of mine defence forces, acquisition of autonomous systems and modifications of tiny rocket ships. – Another precedence of modernization in the area of naval combat capabilities is the appropriate saturation of autonomous water, underwater and air systems in all functional systems, i.e. destruction, endurance and protection of troops, reconnaissance and logistical safety of actions – said Deputy Chief of the Defence Ministry. He besides provided information about the plans of the MW for the construction and modernisation of port, storage, IT, barracks and the acquisition of combat measures.
Answering the question of Operation Baltic Worth, Paweł Zalewski noted that NATO began it in consequence to the Polish request on 14 January. The Polish Armed Forces, including the Polish Navy, are liable for the arrangements and coordination of the engagement of the Armed Forces. The Deputy Minister announced that the Navy would release soldiers and equipment for tasks during operations, which will include supporting the protection of maritime critical infrastructure. “The MW Inspectorate takes part in the analysis and planning work carried out by the operational command”, added the MON representative.
Referring to the question of naval improvement strategy, Paweł Zalewski reported that the Ministry has begun to make a fresh National safety Strategy and a strategical concept of maritime safety that responds to geopolitical changes in the Baltic Sea region.
The issues of naval improvement are not the only subject of interest to Members. Law and Justice politicians wanted to know the details of the July 2024 incidental erstwhile more than 200 anti-tank mines were lost during transport. Let us remind, during unloading at the base in the town of Mosty pod Szczecin, any of the cargo, which went on further journey, was omitted. Over 200 anti-tank mines were later found in a logistics center in another area of the country. The full thing yet went back to the army, and the circumstances became the subject of control.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk gave information to Members. – In July 2024, the persons liable for unloading and adopting combat measures in the records did not study the deficiency of property to their superiors. Earlier, 1 of the soldiers reported that the transport was being carried out, not stating any irregularities and thus confirming the untruth," said the deputy chief of the MON. He informed that the persons liable for transport had started their own search without notifying the superiors. Cezary Tomczyk emphasized that mines were transported in an unarmed state.
Civil surveillance, including the Operations Centre of the Minister of National Defence, detected irregularities in the transfer and retention of combat funds. “All the competent authorities, both the supervisory authorities, the Military Gendarmerie and the Military Counterintelligence Service were immediately notified,” Tomczyk said. The Prime Minister recommended a review of the procedures, resulting in training and stock control. After media information on lost mines Gen. Dyw. Artur Kępczyński has been cancelled from the position of Head of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate.
– president Andrzej Duda was informed in each of these cases from the very beginning," added Deputy Minister Tomczyk.
According to PAP, the territory Attorney's Office in Poznań is investigating the disappearance of mines. So far, 4 soldiers have been presented with allegations of deficiency of oversight of military property.
