How can we cope with the challenges facing the communications troops? What lessons and experiences come from the war in Ukraine? This was discussed in Sieradz by participants of the conference entitled "Military Connectivity in the Age of Digital Transformation". “If we do not do our occupation well, the opponent will gain an advantage that can find his victory,” stressed the head of the Management Board of P6 SGWP.
The two-day conference was attended by a command staff from all units and structures of the Polish Army liable for communication and command. A series of speeches and discussions was opened by the Head of the Management Board of Management and Command – P6 of the General Staff of the Polish Army, Colonel Piotr Chodowiec, who recalled that a crucial influence on the form of the modern military had Marshal Józef PiłsudskiIn the 20th interwar period, he created and systematized the structures of the army. Piłsudski's approach to military communication is best demonstrated by the content of his 1929 order, addressed to the commanders of the Polish Army, in which he straight referred to the experience of the Polish-bolshevik War of 1920. “Connection in the military during war accidents is the same weapon as a cannon, a device gun, like a field kitchen, as a company's ammunition truck. There's even more and more for war activities than all these listed types of services or weapons... Therefore, I will always repeat that good communication is better than a cannon, than a device gun, than a field kitchen and a ammunition car" - said Colonel Chodowiec.
During the Sieradz conference, specialist lectures combined with expert discussion focused around 2 thematic blocks. The first discussed the technological challenges with which military communication is presently being measured, and the second discussed the conclusions and experiences of specified troops from the war in Ukraine.
Colonel Chodowiec stressed that communication and IT troops must constantly develop, follows
behind the latest technologies, due to the fact that otherwise they will not be able to carry out their tasks well. “We must be aware that if we do not do our occupation well, the opponent will gain an advantage that can find his victory,” he argued.
Trends in communication and information technology in the North Atlantic Alliance were presented by Brig-Gen Krzysztof Kociuba, Chief of Staff of the NATO Communications and Information Technology Agency (NCI Agency – NCIA). The General pointed out that the technology that is of strategical importance to NATO as a full is now clouds of data. They are intended to supply the Alliance's structures with action even in the event of demolition or disruption of classical means of communication. "The NATO military cloud is already in operation at the level of public data, and shortly a cloud will be launched for data with the clause "restricted". Work is ongoing on an appropriate solution for higher clauses data – he explained.
Conference participants besides paid large attention to applications for communications and computer discipline troops resulting from the war in Ukraine. They discussed, among others, Russia's ability to disrupt and destruct Ukrainian communications systems, both radio and satellite. "We must forget about communication systems operating continuously, all the time, due to the fact that specified a set, for example a satellite antenna set up close the war zone, is immediately, within minutes, the mark of an air, drone or artillery attack," noted 1 of the specialists from the company providing satellite communication systems to the Ukrainian army.
The soldiers of the communication troops are liable in the Polish Army for the operation of many types of tools, which enable the commanders of various levels to manage their subordinate structures – from portable, tiny individual radio stations to electronic combat management systems. They celebrate their vacation on 18 October in remembrance of the establishment of the first permanent postal connection between Krakow and Venice in 1558. The conference "Military Connectivity in the Age of Digital Transformation", organized in Sieradz, where the 15th Command Support Brigade, the Management Board of Management and Command P6 SGWP, was held on 16–17 October.
