Maybe 2024 wasn't as intense for us as we'd like, but we've done rather a lot. In addition to participating in global exercises, our units have led and proceed to conduct regular reconnaissance activities in the Baltic Sea – stresses Mr.
On Monday, an ORP corvette “Kashub” went out to sea. shortly frigates will join her ORP “Gen. T. Kościuszko” and ORP ‘Gen. K. Pulaski’. What will they do?
Kmdr Piotr Smela: As usual, we will effort to accomplish the full spectrum of tasks to which the said units were assigned. The sailors will practice procedures related to the search for submarines or air defense. In addition ORP ‘Kashub’ carry out artillery shooting. He's been spending quite a few time at the shipyard lately, so his crew has any catching up to do.
In a word before the squadron strong closure of the year.
And yes and no. The current exercises are actually the last major squad task we have planned for this year. But our ships are besides operating. In short: we go out to the sea to conduct reconnaissance and monitoring of the situation in territorial waters, approaches to ports, in the Polish economical zone, but not only. In this context, it is besides crucial to look after critical infrastructure: underwater pipelines, power cables, area around drilling platforms.
Operation Bay...
Yeah, he's driving it. Centre for Marine Operations - Marine Component CommandAnd our squadron's ships have been active in it from the very beginning. We have unique capabilities in the full Navy. As the only squadron we can Search for submarines and conduct surveillance of areas under the surface, but besides to a large degree monitor the situation on the surface of the sea and in airspace. Besides, operating activity always involves training activities for us. During each patrol, crews train different elements of the naval craft and vice versa – during the exercise they conduct reflection and reconnaissance. These 2 aspects are closely linked.
Battleship Squadron maneuvers. photograph by Captain Mar. Damian Przybysz
Anyway, I think you can sum up a year. What was he like?
Maybe not as intense as we'd like, but mostly not bad. Although we have faced any method problems, we have managed to take part in respective crucial projects for us. We've been working together twice as part of a task force. 2 frigates and two-three ships of different classes from another squadrons went out to sea. 2 major global exercises have come along. During ‘Northern Coasts 2024’ ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski" was the only frigate. The ship was headed by a task force. He provided large support to allies in terms of communication or in carrying out complex activities at sea. For example, the "Pułaski" crew coordinated rescue operations, was liable for defending the squad against air strikes, and, in cooperation with aviation, was conducting a search for a submarine.
“Pułaski” besides took part in ‘Baltops’, which is the largest allied exercises in the Baltic. He joined a task force co-created by ships from Spain, Germany, Denmark and France. He carried out a full spectrum of tasks related to the protection of key shipping routes, against submarine attacks and submarines. During any episodes, our ship took command of the group. We were the ones who separated the tasks and coordinated them. Importantly, during both exercises on board our frigate was based on the SH-2G marine helicopter. This greatly increased her abilities.
This year, you only performed your tasks in the Baltic. Why?
In a way, this is due to the calendar, training plans, resources that we have at our disposal at the moment. But it's besides a substance of the increasing importance of this water. Since the full-scale aggression of Russian troops to Ukraine NATO has a much stronger presence in the Baltic Sea. And it's not just a derivative of the Alliance's acceptance. Finland and Sweden. Ships from the United States, Italy and France besides operate regularly in the Baltic. Akwen became highly crucial for strategical but besides economical reasons. Just mention the gas that is delivered to our region in a crucial part by sea. Meanwhile, critical infrastructure remains susceptible to all sorts of hybrid activities, as we could see already in the beginning of the war, erstwhile the Nord Stream gas pipeline was blown up. so NATO is doing a lot to monitor the situation, show its presence, deter a possible opponent.
One of the elements during the last Battleship Squadron exercises was the Boarding Team's control activities on the ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski". photograph by Captain Mar. Damian Przybysz
What about the Russian Baltic Fleet? Is it more visible than before?
Yes, although I wouldn't focus solely on the strength with which Russian ships operate. Russia is reaching for very different resources. We are aware that various types of hybrid operations can include civilian units: investigation vessels, fishing boats. There is besides a alleged fleet of shadows. It consists of old tankers, of unclear belongings, which, contrary to the embargo imposed by the West, effort to export oil from Russia. NATO is trying to exposure them, monitor their movement...
...but it's hard to fight it. You will not block specified a ship or return it to port.
We're within the limits of the law, which doesn't mean we're helpless. The information gathered by NATO goes to the governments of the associate States, which can exert force on Russia, impose further sanctions, force it to quit this kind of activity.
But let's decision on. This year was surely crucial to the Battleship Squadron for another reason. She was laid down in January a keel under the first of the Swords – future frigate of the ORP “Wicher”. Are you preparing for his party?
Yeah. Although the ship is scheduled to enter service in 2029, despite appearances, it is not so distant. Especially due to the fact that our ambition is to make the crew ORP ‘Wicher’ reached combat readiness as shortly as possible after the transfer of the unit to the Navy. That is why we started directing staff to specialised language courses. We train flight controllers, who will be liable for working with onboard helicopters, but besides specialists for positions related to, for example, anti-aircraft defence and submarine search. At the same time, we are waiting for a training package that will be provided by the manufacturer.
Does that mean you already have a skeleton crew?
Not yet. For now, we are raising the competence of seafarers who can service on fresh frigates in the future. However, we have already established a squad that actively participates in construction work. The aim is to make optimal solutions for the construction of the unit and its equipment; to deal with all the problems that may be faced by the armed forces and the supplier, i.e. PGZ War Shipyard.
Battleship Squadron maneuvers. photograph by Captain Mar. Damian Przybysz
What about the units that are already in line? tiny rocket ships have late arrived at the shipyard.
Yes, they are undergoing a modification primarily related to the replacement of main engines. Old russian mechanisms, which caused us many problems, are replaced by fresh ones produced in the West. They have much larger resurs, and they are little emergency. In this way, ship life will be importantly increased. By the way, we besides modify another elements, but the weaponry itself will stay unchanged. The crews of tiny rocket ships have at their disposal any of the best anti-ship missiles – RBS-15 Mk-3.
What is the phase of modernisation work?
ORP “Grom” and ORP “Orkan” stand at the shipyard. The first 1 should be back to us soon. In the coming weeks, besides the ORP “Piorun” will be renovated.
Do you have training plans for next year?
Preliminarily, yes. We plan to join 3 large exercises. 1 will be held outside the Baltic. In addition, we intend to regularly train as part of ship task force. It will be crucial for us to work with mine-mining forces, which belong to the 8th Coast Defence Fleet. In short, we want to implement as many trainings as possible that will let us to preserve readiness to operate both in the Baltic Sea, as well as another waters utilizing all the capabilities of our ships.
