EUR 2 billion for the “Anti-Drone Shield”. The deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense reveals plans in the Guardian

The new air defense system, which will be built along Poland's eastern border, will cost EUR 2 billion, Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk said in an interview with the Guardian on Saturday.

He said that the construction of the complete anti-drone system is to be completed within 24 months, but “the first capabilities of the system will be achieved in about six months, or maybe even earlier.”

Tomczyk announced that the new system will be integrated with the defense line that was created a decade ago. In addition to drone jamming programs, it includes the purchase of machine guns, artillery pieces and missiles, the deputy minister said. As he noted, some of the weapons will be used only in the event of an armed conflict, due to the potential threat to the civilian population.

He added that this project will cost EUR 2 billion and will be financed mostly from European funds under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defense loan program, and partly from the state budget.

The deputy minister explained that special logistics centers will be created in each Polish border commune, where equipment for blocking the border will be stored, ready for use within a few hours.

“The truth is that as long as Ukraine defends itself and fights Russia, Europe is not threatened with war in the conventional, strict sense of the word. Instead, we will face provocations and acts of sabotage,” Tomczyk said. However, he noted that if the West allowed Moscow to win over Kiev, the Kremlin could turn against Europe.

From London Marta Zabłocka (PAP)

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