Dubbed Operation Eastern Aurora, this initiative is supported by British and American armed forces and runs in parallel with the deployment of 17,000 soldiers to the Polish-Belarusian border, where a growing migration crisis has intensified the need for increased security measures.
The operation's primary objective is to ensure continuous monitoring of Polish airspace along its Ukrainian and Russian borders, with a focus on coordinating responses to any airspace violations. (Related: Poland preparing military for World War III, NATO reveals.)
Additionally, the Polish armed forces have confirmed that there will be improved information exchange between Poland and its allies to enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of Poland's armed forces, explained that Operation Eastern Aurora is designed to support both Polish military operations and broader NATO efforts in the Eastern region.
"This operation is closely related to the efforts of our allies and the North Atlantic Alliance on NATO's eastern flank," he said. "Therefore, allied forces, including American and British troops, are involved in strengthening Poland's air-defense system as part of Eastern Aurora."
Poland's air defense systems have faced considerable challenges due to conflicts on its two borders since Russia's escalation of its invasion of Ukraine.
Reports from May indicated that Polish defense officials were contemplating the possibility of intercepting Russian missiles after repeated incursions into Polish airspace.
This collaborative effort follows a significant meeting between British Defense Secretary John Healey and Polish Minister of National Defense W?adys?aw Kosiniak-Kamysz. The discussion centered on the impact of Russia's invasion of Poland and paved the way for increased bilateral cooperation. Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the alignment of security views between Poland and Great Britain.
"We have the same view on security in Europe and globally," he said. "During the last NATO Summit in Washington, we made decisions together. We are determined to enhance our capabilities and strengthen our Armed Forces. Poland and Great Britain are united in cooperation for the cause of freedom, peace and democracy. These are our core values, to which we remain committed."
U.S. tanks, NATO combat vehicles move through Poland
On July 30, U.S. tanks and other NATO combat vehicles were observed moving through Poland, with the U.S. Army relocating several vehicles from a military base in Mannheim, Germany, to warehouses in Powidz, as reported by Polish news outlet Radio Zet.
Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Polish airspace has faced multiple violations, including incursions by Russian missiles, observation balloons and Belarusian helicopters.
One significant incident occurred in November 2022, when an object that crossed into Poland and resulted in two fatalities was initially thought to be a Russian missile. It was later identified as a Ukrainian air defense missile fired in response to a Russian attack.
In light of these increased risks, Poland proposed the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles entering Ukrainian airspace but heading toward Polish territory. However, this proposal was rejected by NATO, which cautioned that such actions could risk involving the alliance directly in the conflict.
The Polish military command has announced that, starting on Aug. 1, Operation Eastern Aurora will focus on "protecting Poland’s airspace from unauthorized border violations."
The operation will prioritize objects flying at low and very low altitudes, such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, which are considered high-risk in the eastern and northeastern regions of Poland.
Poland's eastern border is shared with Ukraine and Belarus, while the northeast border is shared with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The operation will involve continuous airspace monitoring, response to and neutralization of violations, coordination with allies and neighboring countries for effective information exchange and defense coordination and regular training and exercises.
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