"Worst Case Scenario"
On Thursday in the Sejm, Tomczyk presented current information on the actions taken by the government to strengthen the defense capabilities of Poland and NATO's eastern flank. This was requested by MPs from the Civic Coalition club. MP Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska (KO) asked, among other things, whether the threat to Poland is real and how prepared the country is for "worst-case scenarios".
Tomczyk emphasized that Poland has fundamentally changed its state security doctrine in recent years.
The protection of critical infrastructure has also become the responsibility of the Armed Forces. Possibility of immediate use of weapons in the event of a threat from aircraft and the navy. And above all, the launch of pre-authorization for automatic countermeasures - noted the Deputy Minister of Defense.
As he noted, the "worst-case scenario" for Poland is to prepare the country to conduct a possible defense operation. He drew attention to the growing number of Russian provocations in Poland and other countries in the region.
Today, to say that Poland is simply in a state of peace is certainly an insufficient definition. Today, Polish Army cyber troops are facing attacks on our military networks. More than 5,000 soldiers deployed on the Polish-Belarusian border face threats from that side. We are dealing with the entry of foreign aircraft into our country and Europe - noted the Deputy Minister of Defense.
He emphasized that allied services and Polish intelligence had been warning about the possibility of escalation and threats to Poland for many months. The escalation includes acts of sabotage, directing missiles and drones into the territory of the Republic of Poland, as well as ordering assassinations.
This may apply to people who today hold top positions in the defense industry, it may apply to state officials, but also to the most important people in the country - warned the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense.
Tomczyk declared that another 200 kilometers of the state border would be secured "by the end of the year". Currently, 270 km of territory is impassable to the enemy - swamps and forests. Therefore - as he said - by the end of the year, taking into account both warehouses, linear expansion and areas impassable to the enemy, the border security will amount to a total of approximately 470 km.
He also assured that the Polish-American alliance is durable and unthreatened, and drew attention to the important role of President Karol Nawrocki's personal relations with Donald Trump.
"Five iron rules" of Poland's security
He also listed the "five iron rules" of Poland's security.
Firstly, Russia is a threat, secondly, NATO and the European Union are allies, thirdly, we support the army, soldiers and purchases for the army, fourthly, despite freedom of speech, pro-Russian views should never be accepted either in this House or in the Polish public debate. And fifthly, Poland pursues one foreign policy, the deputy minister pointed out.
He also drew attention to the importance of programs conducted by the government in recent years, including: Shield East or SAFE.
Shield East means barriers, mines, anti-drone systems, reconnaissance and destruction. SAN system, the largest in Europe, the most modern anti-drone, multi-effect system. 700 different vehicles, over 200 sensors and radars, over 250 different types of effectors that will be ready to combat unmanned aerial vehicles in our country within 24 months, declared Tomczyk.
As part of the SAFE program, 19 contracts worth several billion PLN have already been signed, regarding elements of the East Shield. This is the SAN program, this is the Baobab program, i.e. scatter mine systems. These are mine and barrier assets, guided explosive charges, combat assets for controlled systems, anti-tank mines, mine cartridges, Gladius unmanned search and strike systems, electronic reconnaissance systems, satellite terminals - said Tomczyk.
He informed that since December 2024, contracts worth PLN 428 billion have been signed. And this is an investment in our security, an investment in Poland's security - emphasized the deputy minister.
As he said, the current government "completely changed" the system of spending public funds. He noted that under the previous government, approximately 20 percent went to Polish industry. funds, and today it is approximately 50 percent.
The aim of the "Shield East" program is to increase the resilience and ability to defend the territory and effectively deter a potential enemy. Its implementation includes, among others: development of defense infrastructure and fortification system, as well as the use of modern means of reconnaissance and protection of troops. NATO allies are also involved in the implementation of projects related to strengthening the eastern flank.
As Jakub Stefaniak, deputy head of the KRPM, said on Thursday in Lublin, Poland has spent over PLN 3 billion since 2023 on securing the eastern border.
