Poland to build new military air base following several Russian missile intrusions.

On March 25, 2024, Poland's Ministry of National Defense, led by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, announced plans to establish a permanent Helicopter Aviation Base of the Land Forces in Świdnik, near Lublin. This decision follows several security breaches in Polish airspace, notably on March 24, 2024, when a Russian missile launched against Ukrainian targets entered Polish airspace near the village of Osierdów in the Lublin Voivodeship.
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The construction of this new military air base follows several security breaches in Polish airspace, with several Russian missiles launched against Ukrainian targets entering Polish airspace. (Picture source: Polish MoD)

According to reports from the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, the missile remained in Polish airspace for 39 seconds, prompting the activation of national airspace safeguarding protocols. In response to the breach, Poland announced its intention to summon the Russian ambassador to its Foreign Ministry to express dissatisfaction and demand explanations from Russia. This incident is not the first of its kind, with a similar violation reported previously. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna emphasized the unacceptability of such actions, particularly in light of Poland's NATO membership and allied obligations. Specific measures were not disclosed, but diplomatic protest was hinted at.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz clarified that all air defense systems were activated to monitor potential threats emanating from Ukrainian territory, indicating close coordination with Ukrainian authorities. Lt. Col. Jacek Goryszewski provided technical details during a subsequent briefing, revealing the missile's speed, altitude, and trajectory. Although the missile breached Polish airspace, it did not warrant further investigation as it swiftly exited the country.

Poland's decision to inform NATO allies about the breach underscores the transnational implications of such provocations. By seeking solidarity within the Alliance, Poland aims to amplify diplomatic pressure on Russia and mitigate future airspace violations.

The incident on March 24th is not an isolated occurrence. Previously, on December 29th, 2023, another Russian missile breached Polish airspace in the same region, demonstrating a pattern of provocative actions near Poland's borders. This earlier violation, also in the Lublin Voivodeship, saw a missile linger on Polish soil for less than three minutes, highlighting the real risks of the Ukrainian conflict spreading as a result of such incidents.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been active in supporting Ukraine, not only through diplomatic channels but also by facilitating military aid, including the provision of tanks and lobbying for additional support from other countries. In terms of military assistance, Poland ranks as one of the primary supporters of Ukraine, with nearly $3 billion worth of aid, of which $1.8 billion is in direct military assistance, including ammunition and armored vehicles. Beyond its role as a supplier of military aid, Poland has also facilitated the transfer of equipment from other nations to Ukraine and initiated joint production of ammunition with Ukrainian entities.

Historical experiences with Russian actions have prompted Poland to reinforce its military capabilities, with plans to increase defense spending to more than 3% of GDP, potentially rising to 5% in the next decade. Key investments include the purchase of hundreds of tanks, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), air defense systems, fighter jets, and self-propelled howitzers from the USA and South Korea. Additionally, Poland seeks to expand its active armed forces from the current 128,000 personnel and 36,000 territorial defense troops to 300,000 soldiers by 2035, while also establishing six armored divisions.