US strengthens European Shield with New Anti-Missile Base in Poland.

On December 15, 2023, the United States will activate its new anti-missile base in Poland. The Redzikowo Air Base, located in northern Poland, is intended to strengthen NATO's anti-missile defense capabilities against potential threats from Iran, according to statements from the alliance.
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 Second US Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System in Europe. (Picture source: Wikimedia and Japanese MoD)

This development marks the establishment of the second U.S. anti-missile base in Europe, following the first installation in Deveselu, southern Romania. Both sites are equipped with the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System, an advanced American anti-missile defense technology designed to detect and intercept ballistic missiles.

Similar to the Romanian facility, the Aegis Ashore system in Poland will use the AN/SPY-1 radar and incorporate the same suite of Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems. It also employs the same computer processors and Raytheon SM-3 missiles. In 2019, the Deveselu facility was upgraded to include the SM-3 Block IB interceptor, which offers enhanced capabilities in detecting and tracking targets compared to its predecessors. According to Commander John Fitzpatrick's 2019 statement, the site houses 24 SM-3 ballistic missile interceptors, each mounted on Mark 41 Vertical Launch Systems. Although these launchers can fire a variety of surface-to-air missiles and other offensive weapons, such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, the configurations, and installations at Deveselu have been specifically tailored to only launch SM-3 missiles. It is unclear if the same is true for the U.S. base at Redzikowo.

The Aegis technology operates by using satellite systems to detect missile launches. Once identified, interceptor rockets are launched from either land or sea-based platforms, aimed at neutralizing the enemy missile in space. While effective against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, particularly from Iran, the system does not counter cruise missiles.

The activation of the Redzikowo base, initially planned for 2018 but delayed due to various factors, has been a subject of considerable geopolitical interest, especially regarding Russian opposition. Moscow has repeatedly expressed strong objections, considering the bases a direct security threat. From the beginning, Moscow has viewed this and other military installations in the region as a threat to Russia. The construction of the new base began in 2016. Despite these concerns, NATO officials have consistently maintained that the Aegis system is purely defensive and poses no threat to Russia's nuclear capabilities.

The location of the Redzikowo base, approximately 150 kilometers from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, adds to the strategic significance of this development. In addition to its deployment in Europe, the Aegis system is also active on American, Japanese, and South Korean naval vessels in East Asia, where it is seen as a counter to missile threats from China and North Korea, protecting U.S. allies in the region.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed parliament that the U.S. government had confirmed the operational status of the base on December 15. This strategic move is part of a broader missile defense system, including a radar installation in Turkey, a command center in Germany, and the deployment of U.S. Navy ships equipped with the Aegis system.

Beyond its geostrategic position, Poland's selection to host the U.S. base at Redzikowo is explained by its status as a NATO member and a close ally of Washington. Indeed, Poland has recently made numerous acquisitions of American military equipment, including Patriot anti-air defense systems, F-35 fighters, Himars rocket launchers, and Abrams tanks. It currently hosts over 10,000 U.S. soldiers on its soil.