Polish Defence Minister Plans to Adapt Civilian Airports for Military Use

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the country is working to adapt civilian airports to military needs. The government is already negotiating the modernisation of airports for defence purposes, and work has already begun at some facilities, Polskie Radio and Business Insider Poland report.  

According to the minister, it is necessary to expand the network of dual-purpose airports that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.  

‘Each airport should be adapted and in some way adjusted to the possibility of cooperation and work with the military,’ he said.  

Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that there are already airports in Poland that perform both functions. ‘For example, the Krakow-Balice International Airport, where the air force base is located, or part of the Fryderyk Chopin Airport in Warsaw, which is also used by the military,’ he said.  

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Maciej Łasek confirmed that the government is in talks to expand this practice to 15 civilian airports. He explained that military zones of airports could be used as transport hubs, evacuation points, assistance centres or cargo hubs.  

When asked about the timing of the implementation of this infrastructure, Łasek replied that ‘it is already happening’.

According to The Gaze, in the spring of 2024, the United States deployed a special forces base in Poland, where 150-200 US military personnel will be stationed. The base is located near Balice Airport, not far from Krakow.

The base, called Myron Camp, is intended to facilitate ongoing cooperation and training between US and Polish special forces, as well as serve as a deterrent to potential aggressors.