Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1173894
er-C) was supplied. Most of the Rus- sian quantitative potential comes from equipment dating back to the times of the USRR and only a part of it has been modernized. MUST HAVE CAPABILITIES From the Polish point of view, it seems logical to modernize the army by taking steps to improve own anti-access capa- bilities, as well as to develop capabilities that allow overcoming the enemy's A2/ AD systems. Due to the fact that airstrikes and mis- sile strikes will most certainly take place, this capability must be considered as of key importance. Unfortunately, Polish current inventory is inversely propor- tionate to the needs. The most modern element is the lowest tier of VSHORAD defense in form of Grom missiles. Short- range systems, meaning Kub (SA-6 Gain- ful), Osa (SA-8 Geck) and Newa-SC (im- proved SA-3 Goa), are unable to provide protection against rocket attacks and due to the range, their usefulness to hold off air attacks is limited. Speaking frankly – in case of war, there is a possibility of a certain number of aircrafts being shot down, but such losses will have no impact on the course of the conflict. Such tacti- cal success can be, at least, be used as propaganda, just like in the case of Serbs who shot down an F-117A in 1999. The plan of purchasing new short-range sys- tems as a part of the "Narew" program has not been confirmed with actual de- cisions yet. A decision was made to pur- chase two MIM-104 Patriot batteries as a part of the first phase of the Wisła pro- gram. However, it will have no significant influence on the current situation. Great- er progress will be achieved during the second phase, meaning the purchase of other 6 batteries. Perhaps the situation would have been better if the past oppor- tunity to acquire even up to 12 used bat- teries from Germany in 2011 had been used. Those sets could have been sub- jected later on to modernization, which would help in making up for the existing gaps. At this moment, we can count on support of our allies, including the Aegis Ashore system being built in Redzikowo, land sub-units transferred to Poland, if needed, and vessels. Here, in the context of A2/AD capabili- ties, one must mention the current po- tential of ship anti-aircraft zone defense. Frigates such as Iver Huitfeldt (Danish) or Sachsen (German), not even mention- ing destroyers, are capable of ensuring protection not only for vessels, but also for land targets. Unfortunately, in 2018, Poland did not make use of the opportu- nity of acquiring ships with such capabili- ties, i.e. Adelaide frigates, which not only are well-armed (including SM-2 missiles with a range of 160 km) and well-main- tained, but also with a huge potential for modernization. The purchase would prob- ably give Poland time for acquisition of brand-new rocket frigates in the future. Maybe the intention will be fulfilled at a later date. With regard to A2/AD capability at sea, there has been a different success. The Naval Rocket Unit (MJR), which currently consists of two divisions with naval strike missiles, gives Poland the opportunity of creating its own "anti-access bubble" on southern Baltic, thanks to the range of missiles of 180 km. Both divisions can receive information on targets from various sensors, including, of course, the division itself is capable of dispersed operations, which increases the chances of survival. We can assume then that naval force based on land rocket force (i.e. MJR), multi-purpose frigates, anti-mine force (especially minehunters like "Kormoran II") and submarines, supported by naval aviation, would allow establishing relative safety at sea and from sea. In case of aviation, there has been a suc- cessful purchase of F-16 fighters, which improved Polish capabilities within the scope of air defense, but also in terms of reconnaissance and fighting land targets. However, it must be pointed out that only 48 aircrafts were bought. Other types of aircrafts, meaning Su-22M4 (Fitter) and MiG-29 (Fulcrum), in case of con- flict, could operate successfully only un- der exceptionally favorable conditions to use them. What is more, their exploita- tion currently involves large problems – which was noticed especially in the case of MiG-29s. Unfortunately, no decisions have been taken to replace those air- crafts with new ones, while the decision www.fragoutmag.com