The role of the Polish Navy in the defence system of Poland [ANALIZA]

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the role and importance of the Polish Navy, with particular emphasis on future frigates of the Miecznik, in the context of the defence strategy of Poland. We will present the diplomatic role of the Navy, its functions of deterrence, the security of maritime transport, and the protection of maritime critical infrastructure.

The role of the Polish Navy in Poland's defence system

Dynamic changes in the marine safety environment expose Poland to challenges requiring a thoughtful strategic and political response. In the context of the developing maritime economy, including maritime transport, wind energy in the Baltic Sea and the Baltic Pipe pipeline, there are certain shortcomings in ensuring the maritime security of our country. There is a clear paradox: on the one hand, we have an increase in the importance of the maritime sector for the economy, on the other hand, we have shortcomings in securing these key areas. The question arises whether the relevant state authorities are aware of the full spectrum of the consequences of these negligencees?

Modernization and development of the Polish Navy

Analyzing the causes of this state of affairs, it is worth noting the cultural and historical aspects of the Polish maritime policy. Our approach to maritime affairs is deeply rooted in continental strategic culture, leading to a simplified treatment of naval issues. In recent years, the state authorities have not had a broader view of the potential of the fleet, considered only by the defence prism, limited the possibility of using the full spectrum of its capabilities.

Polish reflections on the role of the Navy focused mainly on its combat and defence potential, disregarding the broader contexts of maritime security of the state. This reduction in the role of MW in the coastguard function, not necessarily carried out with ships, demonstrated that its potential was not fully exploited. This policy was criticised by experts who pointed to the need to take a broader account of the role of the Navy, also in the context of the interoperability of allied and global maritime security.

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Faced with globalisation and the increasing importance of the sea as a strategic space, Poland was obliged to revalue its maritime policy significantly. The key steps taken by subsequent heads of the Ministry of Defence were the modernization of the armed forces, including the construction of modern frigate-class warships, the continuation of the construction of Kormoran II mine destroyers, as well as the initiative of the Dolphin programme, which assumed the construction of ships – the SIGINT electromagnetic recognition, equipped with advanced detection and identification systems for all emitters. The understanding by decision-makers of what fleet Poland needs, its tasks and how it can serve both the defence of the country and its wider interests on the international stage, seems to be increasing.

International cooperation of MW

Developing the potential of the Navy is very important from the point of view of our maritime interests, for example, to interact with the North Atlantic Alliance's fleets. Hence the launch of the MEASURANT programme is a step in the right direction. Two frigates owned by Poland ORP Gen. K. Pulaski and ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko These are ships on which the Polish maritime potential and participation in maritime operations are based. It was high time to consider and take action to replace them with ships with equipment adequate to the challenges of the current marine theatre of action. We should remember that the Polish fleet actively participates in international cooperation.

Two Polish ships of ORP Wodnik and ORP Piast have already participated in the operation Desert Storm. Since 1993, our ships have been taking part in exercises with NATO countries as part of annual exercises Baltops. The MW participated in several hundred manoeuvres of NATO states and Partnership for Peace. In 1999, Poland became part of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Since then, our ships have been involved in all NATO maneuvers in the Baltic. They also participated in operations in the Baltic Straits, the North Sea, Norway, the Atlantic Ocean, anti-terrorism operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the Gulf Mission (2002-2003). According to the Centre for Maritime Operations – Command of the Marine Component since 2002, our Navy Marine Forces have been permanently participating in response forces and NATO ship teams.

Challenges and Perspectives of the Polish Navy

The Strategic Concept of Maritime Security of the Republic of Poland, developed in 2017, signed by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda clearly indicates that the capabilities of the Polish Navy are not adequate to the threats, challenges and opportunities generated by the current marine safety environment.

At that time, the modernisation programme of the naval forces was assessed as insufficient, especially in terms of potential threat from Russia. The document stresses the need to implement as soon as possible a modified programme for the development and modernisation of maritime forces, with a focus on multitasking frigates and the inclusion of ships in the air defence system. In addition, it was recommended to modernise or acquire command and support vessels for combined operations and submarines.

In the context of the recommendations, the authors suggested the construction of the Navy as a medium-sized fleet capable of a limited yet credible global force projection, which is an important element in the pursuit of Poland's active presence in the seas and oceans of the world. The change in the structure of the ship's forces and their activation in allied operations are intended not only to neutralize potential threats, but also to demonstrate allied solidarity.

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Ships have been playing an important diplomatic role for centuries. The very concept of maritime diplomacy is poorly defined, even though the sea and its activities bear concrete implications for the relations of states both in the past and in the present. It is also becoming increasingly important because it crosses the current environmental, economic and security problems.

Diplomatic role of the Navy

The naval diplomacy carried out by the Navy covers the entire spectrum of activities and measures, such as warship visits to ports and naval bases, participation in joint international missions, exercises, operations and other activities and forms of cooperation between naval and ocean navyrs, including not only school, combat, anti-piracy, but also humanitarian aid, after the deployment of ships or combat teams of ships convincing and forced.

Such a form of naval presence in a diplomatic role is the construction, maintenance, possession of permanent naval bases in other countries or the possibility, as part of international cooperation, of using foreign ports, bases for the purpose of collecting supplies or temporarily based, as well as the permanent presence of fleets or vessels in a given area, aquania.

They are a form of projection of force, exerting pressure, and indicate an interest in a given country in a particular region of the world and in a watershed. Also fleets, fleet teams, nuclear-powered submarines, both nuclear and conventional aircraft carriers, including landing ships (with air capabilities called Light aircraft carriers or helicopters) are a form of force projection in international relations.

Force projection and flag presentation by the Polish Navy

It is important to have appropriate ships, which, at least in such teams, participate and which can reasonably indicate their presence, by, for example, strengthening, complementing the potential or specific capability of an allied team of ships from the point of view of representing the interests of the country's maritime interests. Power projection also requires the ship to possess appropriate parameters and weapons.

Visits or presence at a certain concentration of American, French, British, Chinese, Indian, Russian aircraft carriers are of general interest in the world, building a certain intended propaganda effect and is also a form of projection of the country's strength

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Therefore, even for the activities of the flag presentation, the maritime state should have in its fleet warships of appropriate parameters and weapons, such that a visit to a foreign port or base will not remain unnoticed, omitted and even noted in mass media and public interest by public visits. It seems that the constructed frigateS OF THE MEASURANT meet all these criteria and we are only impatiently waiting for them to enlarge our fleet of war and to be able to adequately present the flag on the seas and oceans.

Armed future frigate MEASURANT

The units of this class will significantly increase the military capabilities of the Polish Navy and will allow to carry out a wide range of tasks at sea. The frigate MEASURANT will be based on the Arrowhead 140 Babcock International project. The frigate will include a missile defense system against Sea Ceptor Air Robbery from MBDA. This system will allow to combat multiple air targets at different distances, providing capacity not only to defend itself, but above all other facilities or infrastructure.

The equipment will include a wide range of Thales radiolocation and hydrolocation systems that allow effective detection, tracking and tracing. The multi-tasking capacity of the frigate will allow simultaneous action to be taken to combat submarines, submarines and neutralise threats from the air.

In this case, they will be armed with systems capable of combating air seizure measures, providing "parasol" to themselves, escorted ships not having sufficient capabilities in this area, as well as ships and offshore installations. In many cases, they will be optimised to search for submarines, second after air, threats at sea. All frigates will be equipped with artillery and rocket weapons to destroy the water targets.

Polish Swordsmen will be absolutely modern. They will use a proven platform of high autonomy, with a reserve of buoyancy and space for future modifications, as well as an economic gym consisting of diesel engines, guaranteeing one of the largest ranges in this class of ships (8000 Mm). The electronic equipment and weapons systems designated by the contracting authority, which form an integrated mission system, will include modern solutions.

Written by Marcin Szywala

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