Warsaw requests extra air defenses from NATO after Russian drone incursion
Photo: Poland asks NATO for Patriot after drone attack (Getty Images)
Poland, after the raid of Russian drones for the first time during the war in Ukraine, turned to NATO for additional air defense systems and protection against unmanned aerial vehicles, according to Bloomberg.
Poland appealed to partners with a request for additional air defense systems and technologies of countering drones. The goal is to strengthen the protection of its own territory from new threats from Russia.
According to sources, Warsaw is already conducting closed consultations with NATO partners regarding additional assistance.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, stated that the country needs Patriot complexes, since drones are not the only threat from Russia. According to him, Poland also requires an "anti-drone wall".
The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, emphasized that in conversations with the leaders of France, Great Britain, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, he received not only statements of solidarity but also concrete proposals regarding strengthening the Polish air defense system.
Difficulties with the supply of Patriot
However, the supply of additional Patriot complexes may prove problematic. The Deputy Minister of Defense of Germany, Jens Plötner, noted that now these systems are most needed by Ukraine, which is experiencing constant and powerful strikes from Russia.
At the same time he emphasized that this "does not mean that we are shying away from our responsibility to protect NATO."
Drone attack on Poland
Recall, during the attack on Ukraine on the night of 10 September, 19 drones flew into the airspace of Poland. The Polish air defense began shooting down air targets, but managed to hit only 4 unmanned aerial vehicles.
It should be noted that fragments of the downed unmanned aerial vehicles were found in 11 settlements in Poland. One of them crashed on the territory of a unit of the Territorial Defense Forces.
In connection with the Russian attack, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization activated Article 4. This allowed member states to discuss the situation with allies in the North Atlantic Council.
Earlier in the media, it was written that the Russians equipped Herbera drones with additional fuel tanks, which increased their flight range to reach Poland.
