Strengthening the east Border

polska-zbrojna.pl 6 months ago

The “Tarcza East” is the largest operation since the Second War to strengthen the east border of Poland. The National Programme was announced in May of that year and although the investment is to be full completed in 2028, the first section of the fortifications is already ready. The task will besides increase the number of soldiers serving in border areas and will be given additional equipment.

– The border area will be prepared for the defence and immediate projection of forces, that is, the ability to immediately make our troops and join the fight – he said in May General Wiesław Kukuła, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army. This was 1 of the first votes on the “Hard East” construction plan. The task envisaged the creation of a comprehensive regional defence infrastructure, created in cooperation with the Baltic States, to counter threats on the east flank of NATO.

Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, erstwhile presenting the concept of the project, said that the shield was aimed at "protecting the Republic, obstructing the movement of opposing troops, facilitating the movement of own troops, protecting the population and ensuring the highest safety for those who defender the safety of the state." The “Tarcza East” is intended to take form of a belt of military installations, reaching up to 50 km deep in the country.

RECLAMA

The head of the MON explained that the “Tarcza East” is an initiative separate from strengthening and upgrading the barrier at the border (this is what the Ministry of abroad Affairs does). The actions taken within the shield are of military nature and rely, inter alia, on strengthening the capabilities of the Polish Army in the field of detection, informing and tracking systems. The “Tarcza East” is besides the preparation of advanced operating bases, logistics nodes and the creation of appropriate infrastructure for anti-drone systems.

– We have about 700 km of border to secure, including 400 km with Belarus. We want this task to be implemented immediately. The work will start this year – he announced in late May Mr Cezary Tomczyk, Deputy Minister for National Defence. "Tarcza East" is to be created by 2028, and the estimated material cost is about PLN 10 billion. “This is simply a immense investment on a national scale, but besides on a NATO scale,” stressed the Deputy Minister.

New cars, more soldiers at the border

In July 2024, Deputy Minister of Defence Paweł Bejda informed about the start of the process of acquiring 150 armored vehicles. – They will carry our soldiers and at the same time defend them from attacks during border operations. We will procure vehicles as part of an urgent operational need. Right now, we've already started all the procedures and we'll choice the best offer. We want to equip the soldiers with this equipment as shortly as possible. At this point it is absolutely essential to buy – he noted.

Deputy Minister Bejda besides spoke about increasing the number of soldiers active in operations in Podlasie. – 8 1000 is to service straight at the border, while 9 1000 will stay in retreat. If anything happens, they will be sent to the border within 48 hours – explained the deputy chief of the MON.

First Test

In October, the “Hard East” safeguards were working. That's erstwhile we were on the ground. In Orish tests were carried out utilizing military vehicles and safety features built at the border. The exercises, which were observed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, were to verify the effectiveness of the obstacles posed in border areas. Military action consisted, among others, of resisting simulated attacks of the opponent who attempted to penetrate a number of reinforced concrete hedgehogs, anti-tank ditches and minefields. “This is why there are all these mechanical fortifications and those utilizing the natural environment, specified as the terrain to prevent the mobility of opposing troops,” explained the head of the MON. The Deputy Prime Minister reported that under the Tarcza East programme, a school-test centre is being built in Orzysz, where engineering sub-units will be prepared.

Also in October, representatives of the 3rd Regional Logistics Base (3 RBLog) from Krakow signed 3 contracts for the transportation of 114 engineering machinery: excavators on wheel chassis and excavators on track chassis with a full value of approx. 90 million PLN. These machines – as planned – were transferred to units later this year. "Coffers and excavators purchased under the 'Tarcza East' program went to 3 RBLog – Dęblin Composition. The training of operators will begin soon," the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate reported in early December.

First shield

“The border with Russia and Belarus will not only be the most safe border in Europe, but besides the most innovative one,” said Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk in November. In addition to infrastructure elements specified as palisades, reinforced concrete hedgehogs or anti-tank ditches, the shield besides includes innovative communication solutions and drone systems.

The MON stressed from the outset the importance of global cooperation in strengthening the east flank of NATO. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia signed an agreement in January 2024 to strengthen the border with Russia by creating the alleged Baltic defence line. This means that in a fewer years, about 1000 bunkers, minefields, anti-tank dams, artillery stations, etc. will be created. During his November visit to Bratislava, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz spoke about inviting Slovak army engineers to participate in the task "Tarcza East". – Slovakia has very good engineering troops, so this cooperation and exchange of experience is needed – the head of the MON said.

The construction of the “Hard East” was planned for the years 2024–2028, with the first section of the safety at the border to be ready in early 2025. However, this nonsubjective was achieved by the end of November. – The full Poland is arrogant of our army. We feel safer. I am impressed with the extraordinary sacrifice of soldiers and soldiers," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the visit to the first completed section of the shield (about 2.3 km) on the border with the royal circuit in the vicinity of Dąbrowka (Warmia-Masurian province).

Investment in Peace

– The better the Polish border will be guarded, the more hard it will be for those with bad intentions, the greater guarantees of peace. All that we do here and what we will do on the border with Belarus and Ukraine is to deter and discourage a possible aggressor. This is truly an investment in peace – said Prime Minister Tusk. He added that "the full of Europe is looking forward to and supporting these investments and our actions if necessary."

The Budowie "Tarcza East" was accompanied by meetings of government representatives with local governments and residents of border provinces, who were assured that the implementation of the national programme would not translate into forced displacement, for example. “Our investments will be carried out on the land of the State Treasury, State Forests, National Centre for Agricultural Support and another elements of state infrastructure,” explained Deputy Minister of Defence Stanisław Wzątek. Representatives of the government besides pointed out the benefits of building a shield for local subcontractors, but besides for the tourism manufacture in border areas (increased sense of security).

– Each month, erstwhile the next kilometers will be formed, “The Tartar East“ Poland will be a safer country. present we can say that Poland is simply a safe country thanks to our army, thanks to the actions that make the budget for the military, but besides for specified infrastructure projects, is record-breaking – Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk said in Dąbrowka. The deputy chief of the MON recalled the planned allocation of 4.7% of GDP to defence spending next year.

Jakub Zagalski
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