Poland Seeks Additional Air Defense Support from Allies After Russian Drone Strikes
Poland has formally requested extra air defense systems and counter-drone technologies from its allies, citing the urgent need to strengthen protection against escalating Russian aerial threats.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg.
The appeal follows the interception of Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during Moscow’s latest large-scale strike on Ukraine.
It was the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three and a half years ago that NATO forces were drawn into direct defensive action on Alliance territory.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, Warsaw has been holding closed-door consultations with NATO partners to secure additional support.
The talks gained momentum after Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, a mechanism that triggers consultations among allies in the face of perceived threats.
At a press conference in Warsaw, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stressed the urgency of bolstering defenses. “We need Patriots because drones aren’t the only form of the Russian threat to our airspace. We also need an anti-drone wall,” he said.
The United Kingdom signaled openness to Poland’s request. Defence Secretary John Healey described the drone incursions as “dangerous, reckless, unprecedented” and confirmed London is weighing possible measures.
One option under discussion, according to people close to the talks, is redeploying some of the six Typhoon fighter jets that NATO stationed in Poland six weeks ago.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he had received not just words of solidarity but concrete offers of support from the leaders of France, the UK, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. “These proposals concern strengthening Poland’s air defense,” he noted in a message on X.
Still, providing advanced systems such as the U.S.-made Patriot batteries may prove challenging. German Deputy Defense Minister Jens Plötner argued that, given Russia’s relentless strikes on Ukraine, such assets currently serve a greater purpose on Ukrainian territory. However, he stressed that this “does not mean we are neglecting our responsibility to safeguard NATO.”
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is prepared to share intelligence with Poland and assist in strengthening its air-defense and warning systems after Russian attack drones entered Polish airspace overnight.