By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Warsaw: Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has submitted a defence bill to parliament designed to initiate the comprehensive modernisation of the country’s missile defence system, according to the presidential staff.
The bill calls for a missile modernisation budget of $2.5-3.7 billion from 2014 through 2023. There are plans to involve other countries, in particular France and Germany, in the modernisation effort.
The bill is key to to ensuring stable funding for the modernisation programme, which has been described as “the highest priority for the Polish Armed Forces in the coming decade”.
Poland’s current missile defence system comprises six missile battalions armed with obsolete, Soviet-made, S-125 Neva (SA-3 Apollo) missiles. Only one also boasts a long range S-200 Vega (SA-5 Gammon) system.
Experts note that, in its current state, Poland’s air defence system is simply unable to provide effective defence against an enemy attack.
The new system would stand alongside US missile defense facilities, becoming part of NATO’s broader air and missile defence system.