Although they work in secret all day, no military operation would have taken place without them. Today's celebration of reconnaissance troops and electronic combat. What tasks they carry out today, and what challenges they face in the future, we talk to Brig-Gen. Mieczysław Bieńek, Head of the Board of Intelligence and designation Analysis P2 of the General Staff of the Polish Army.
General, reconnaissance troops are primarily associated with a soldier who secretly travels in hard terrain. But in reality, your work looks different.
That's right, that's the image of a reconnaissance soldier in general's consciousness, but I besides remember that erstwhile I was in officer's school, it was sand, crawling and a secretive approach. However, in fact, it is activities carried out in all domains for all types of armed forces. We collect information from various sources, build databases, process them, and usage them in planning, decision-making or operational awareness-building processes. We supply not only information about the opponent, but besides information that allows to find the precise location of the mark and its destruction. And without that data, it wouldn't be possible to neutralize it. That is why we operate not only on land but besides at sea, in air, cyberspace and space.
It can be said that the reconnaissance troops for their vacation received an extraordinary gift related to the second domain, due to the fact that a fewer days ago it collapsed Decision to get a Satellite Earth reflection System.
The satellites that we get under the MicroSAR program will be located in the alleged low orbit and will supply us access to alleged Earth radar imaging. The image is built on beams bouncing from the ground. Although the analysis of specified material is simply a bit more hard than in the case of typical electronic images, its advantage is that it allows to evidence situations in all weather conditions, both day and night. On the another hand, optoelectronic imaging will be obtained from satellites placed in higher orbit. It's about the French satellites we acquired under the Poleos program. We will be able to usage them in 2027.
Does the Polish military have the competence to operate specified satellites?
We systematically build specified competences. In Białobrzegi since last year has been active Geospatial designation and Satellite Services AgencyIt was based on the Geospatial designation Division. Its structures are being formed, as well as the preparation of the personnel that will operate satellites. This does not mean, of course, that we are not presently exploiting the possible of this domain. On the contrary, however, we are utilizing the resources our allies have located in space.
Do you consider what is happening in Ukraine?
Of course. The war in Ukraine shows how crucial designation is. It has importantly reduced consequence times on the battlefield. With modern technologies available, you can, after the attack, effectively return fire within 15 seconds. This is, of course, not only a substance of recognition, but besides thanks to modern equipment, e.g. drones.
We analyse experiences from the Ukrainian front, but we are aware that future conflicts do not request to look the same. Therefore, our view is wider, not just about copying and focusing solely on what has worked during the conflict in the East. Our position is besides different, for example, due to the fact that we are a associate of the North Atlantic Alliance.
A good example is the alleged patrol reconnaissance, on foot, which we mentioned at the beginning of our conversation. The usage of soldiers who acted secretly to get information was successful at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, but now specified actions are not carried out. This is due to the fact that the line of demarcation between the 2 sides of the conflict is fundamentally permanent and, most importantly, saturated with electronic warfare or anti-aircraft defence tools, which makes it impossible to approach the front line in an undetected way. This does not mean, of course, that we should not build specified capabilities, but we must take into account how tools of reconnaissance troops have changed, how they usage advanced technology, including unmanned reconnaissance or radar.
When I hear the word patrol, I have right in front of soldiers who operate on the Polish-Belarusian border. I realize that they are doing a very different job, but possibly it's a good time to ask about the presence of reconnaissance troops in the east part of the country.
Of course, we are present at the border, partially within the structures of the Podlasie Group and support its command with information. We usage unmanned ones, specified as TB2 Bayraktar. But the surgery is ongoing, so I can't talk about the details of this.
The barrier built at the border was to be equipped with modern equipment, optoelectronic systems. Is that what happens? Do you usage these solutions?
I can talk about these issues in the context of the emerging Shield of the East. Its aim is to reduce the mobility of opposing troops, but besides to supply force protection for the protection of own troops. This last task is to meet not only the engineering firewall, but the full strategy of reconnaissance solutions, specified as radar solutions, which will enable us to get and transmit information. I will admit that this is now the area in which we are investigating various solutions that are not implemented in the Polish Army, but have proven themselves, for example, in Ukraine or in another armies. We test passive radars in this way, the advantage of which is that they do not send any signals, so it is hard to find them.
Technological changes in the field of combat are taking place very rapidly and we must adapt to this. Let me give you 1 example. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, we have seen the importance of drones, but now both sides of the conflict have learned to neutralise drones, whether utilizing conventional weapons or radio-electronic combat. That is why it is so crucial not to underestimate these issues.
There is small talk in Poland about drone systems. Is it due to the fact that we don't have developed specified abilities?
Relax, the military has these systems, but due to the fact that they're expected to defend us, the little people talk about them, the better. Moreover, these technologies are constantly being developed. The aim is not to accumulate a large amount of the same equipment, due to the fact that in time it will not meet the requirements of changing battlefields. It's kind of like computers that become obsolete and useless in a beautiful short time. In the case of arms, it is essential to specify precisely the needs of the military, the ability to produce and adapt this equipment to current challenges. tiny unmanned drones can be produced in large quantities in inexpensive and fast quantities, while the process of obtaining drones with more advanced systems takes much longer. A good example is the unmanned MQ-9B SkyGuardian, who is to begin his service in the Polish Army in 2027. By then, we will be utilizing the post-released, somewhat older version – MQ-9A SkyGuardian. This is very crucial not only due to the possibilities it offers us, but besides due to the fact that it allows us to prepare for the mark version.
But these are not the only purchases that have been made for reconnaissance troops.
Yes, there have been more recently. A good example of uncovering innovative solutions is Delfin ships that will replace the comparatively utilized vessels of the exploratory group. It is worth mentioning that although the technology of the Swedish Saab company is the basis of this project, the ships were designed and built in Poland. The first is scheduled to be launched later this year, the second at the beginning of 2026, and the full operational capacity is planned for 2027.
Polish Army received Saab 340 AEW early detection and informing aircraft, was besides signed a contract for the transportation of light armoured tick reconnaissance transporters. But remember, equipment is just 1 of the elements of the full strategy of information acquisition, analysis and distribution. Analysis is crucial in this layout, due to the fact that what if we have information if it is not decently processed in due time? Therefore, we should put the top emphasis on the analysis process, especially since there is simply a hazard that it will simply become inefficient.
Most NATO countries face this problem. I will remind you that erstwhile terrorist attacks were analysed in the United States, it frequently turned out that tragedy could have been prevented if the collected information had been decently processed and were placed in the right place. That's why it's so crucial to focus on data analysis.
Can artificial intelligence aid in this case? These competences are besides developed in the Polish Army.
Artificial intelligence is called artificial for a reason, due to the fact that although it can be helpful in many matters, it is not always able to indicate the meaning of what we care about. Of course, we're taking advantage of her options, but I don't think she'll be able to replace a man for long. Consider besides the crucial function in conducting exploratory activities of obtaining information through direct contact with people, the alleged HUMINT. In many cases, this is the only warrant of obtaining data or confirming this information we already have.
So, what kind of people request reconnaissance troops today?
I spent a fewer years in peculiar troops, where, contrary to popular opinion, not physical fitness, and predispositions play a key role. due to the fact that the condition can be worked out, and mentality or emotional intelligence not necessarily. The reconnaissance troops are similar. It is surely crucial that we have the ability to analyse data, to observe, to make contact with people or to find oneself in different situations. Plus, it should be a faceless person, so this large bicep isn't always a plus.
As for structural issues in the Polish Army – alongside the reconnaissance regiments, battalions are formed, which carry out actions for the division – what changes await this kind of troops?
There's definitely another shift ahead. shortly all reconnaissance units will not be referred to as regiments or battalions, or level of grade in the structure, but as a ‘unit’. specified a solution functions in peculiar troops and we are besides based on experiences from Ukraine. The current solution requires adjusting the structure of each individual to the applicable doctrine, and leaving this strategy will let us to adjust the individual's capabilities to circumstantial needs. This besides means that it will be harder for the opposing organization to identify them.
