On the Coast, the Naval Rocket Brigade will be established – work on its formation is underway. This is the next step in strengthening coastal squadrons, which are an crucial component in the Nattian deterrence policy. And another sign that the function of the Baltic in geopolitical calculations has increased significantly.
Mobile launcher placed on Jelcz's chassis.
A column of vehicles departs from the base in Siemirowice in Pomerania – rocket launchers, command and method safety trucks, mobile communication node. Soon, the component disappears in the Pomeranian forests. If the enemy ships launch an attack on the South Baltic, they will receive a powerful blow. They're going to be followed by lethally effective missiles. It will besides happen erstwhile trying to land on the Polish coast. That's how the Marine Rocket Unit works.
In fresh years it has presented its possible many times – both in the country and abroad. And she did so effectively that the decision-makers had no doubt. They felt that this possible should be powerfully strengthened.
Rocket complement
"Over the sea, the Naval Rocket Brigade will be built" - reported Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in early March. It will be the 4th tactical union intended for operations within the Baltic – after 3 Fleets of Ships, 8 Coast Defence Fleets and the Naval Air Brigade. The decision is simply a natural consequence of contracts concluded by Poland for the expansion of coastal impact systems. In the fall of 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts to supply equipment for 2 consecutive MJRs. The order is to be carried out by the Norwegian company Kongsberg, supported by 2 Polish companies – PIT-Radwar and Military Electronic Plants. The value of the transaction amounts to PLN 8 billion, while deliveries should start in 2026. The units themselves are to be equipped with NSM Block 1A (Naval Strike Missile) rockets, which are newer generation missiles than those utilized in the first MJR. Their scope is not 200 but even 300 km.
So far, small is known about the fresh brigade. Although the applicable papers have been signed, it is inactive under way. Without a greater risk, it can be assumed that any of the forces will be stationed in Siemirowice so far. The second of 3 units can be deployed to Zegrą Pomorskie under Koszalin. At least this was the consequence of the consequence to the parliamentary interpellation, which was given by the deputy chief of the MON Paul Bejda in late August 2024.
Radiolocation station TRS-15C of Polish production.
Meanwhile, experts have no uncertainty – the creation of a brigade is simply a sign that the function of the Baltic in geopolitical calculations has increased significantly. Through the sea, the main supply routes lead to Poland, the Baltic countries and the recently baked Scandinavian NATO members, and its bottom is covered by pumping pipelines and telecommunications cables. In addition, Russia lies just outside the city. Therefore, the fresh tactical union focused on the Baltic is to bring tangible benefits to Poland.
– Further coastal squadrons will let to seal the gap that was created in the early centuries with the withdrawal from service of tiny rocket ships of the kind Osa and Tarantul – according to kmdr Artur Kołaczyński, the chief of staff of the Centre for Marine Operations – Marine Command, who for respective years commanded the unit in Siemirowice. Although it reserves after a while, coastal rocket launchers should not be considered as an alternate to vessels. “These have much more extended tasks – especially during peace or crisis. The MJR will not deter the submarine, it will not go on patrol, it will not be able to monitor critical infrastructure," the officer says. So I see the rocket brigade as a complement of naval forces. But not their equivalent – he adds.
In a akin speech he speaks Prof. Andrzej Makowski from the Naval Academy, a specialist in naval strategy. – The expansion of coastal rocket troops will importantly influence the extension of the alleged anti-access bubble. It will let to control not only Polish territorial waters, but besides shipping routes throughout the practically confederate Baltic – the expert points out. “We will get another batch of good and proven anti-ship missiles from Kongsberg, which are utilized in various jackets of the planet – from Australia to the United States. They have a scope large adequate that a bullet fired from the Ustka area can land even in the mediate of the Swedish Scania," he emphasises. But again, specified abilities will be useful during the armed conflict. “The launch of a rocket in a situation where the opponent, as now reaching for hybrid warfare tools, breaks off offshore power cables or attempts to paralyze the shipping of civilian units, would be equal to the outbreak of open war. Here you should act in a different way, sending ships to the delicate waters. Which, of course, does not mean that MJR is useless in peacetime. It is an perfect tool in the Natovian strategy of deterrence,” emphasises Prof. Makowski. In another words, the very presence of specified a powerful weapon will aid keep your opponent in check.
Projection in Iceland
The past of coastal rocket subdivisions dates back to the 1960s. It was then that the Polish navy had towed B-163 tubes, which proved impractical. Large sizes and weights made it hard to decision them to specified areas. The launchers shortly hit the ground. The thought of buying fresh equipment for a while was inactive in the heads of the staff, but was yet abandoned for a long time. He returned only in the 21st century, erstwhile Poland was already a associate of NATO. In 2011, a Coastal Rocket Squadron was formed in Siemirowice, which became part of the 3 Fleet Ships. shortly a second squadron joined him, and it was on their basis that the Marine Rocket Unit was formed a decade ago.
The MJR core is simply a mobile launcher placed on Jelcz chassis. They can decision on asphalt roads, but besides ground roads and forest ducts. Each is equipped with 4 NSM anti-ship missiles with a scope of 200 km. Of course, fired missiles never fly in a consecutive line. Before they scope their goal, they maneuver to make it hard to defend their anti-aircraft opponent.
In addition to the MJR launcher, they besides have a radio-location station that monitors the situation in airspace within a 240 km radius and at sea up to 50 km distance. Its cast may take part in indicating objectives. However, information about them usually flows from another sources – for example, ships or aircraft operating on the Baltic. Data is collected by a moving communication node. Then they go to the command carts of the next rungs, where the decision to hit is developed. The composition of the unit is supplemented by logistics vehicles, which serve, among others, to transport missiles, and finally, anti-aircrafts equipped with artillery and rocket kits. Their task in turn is to cover the full column.
Individual MJR squadrons consist of battery conflict modules that can successfully operate on their own. We have had examples of specified usage in fresh years. And not only on the Polish coast. – MJR can operate far beyond national borders thanks to its mobility. In 2023, our components were operated simultaneously in Sweden, Estonia and Poland – recalled kmdr Bogdan Tomaszycki, commander of the Marine Rocket Unit. The occasion was a series of exercises to show NATO's ability to defend the east flank.
NSM launchers and vehicles accompanying them abroad set off on board transport and mine ships of the Lublin type. They were deployed on Gotland, at the interface of the Gulf of Finland and the open sea, and besides on the central and east coast of Poland. They thus stretched a rocket umbrella over the key routes for Baltic shipping. "We have shown that we are an crucial part of the collective safety strategy. We can work together with allies in many delicate areas, bringing crucial value to the Natovian forces – emphasised kmdr Tomaszycki.
This is not just about the Baltic. In 2024, for example, MJR combat modules performed akin tasks during the Sea Shield ‘24’ exercises in Romania and Northern Viking ‘24’ in Iceland. In each of these cases, Polish sailors arrived by air. They took advantage of the opportunities offered by the transport aircraft An-124 Ruslan and the Natov strategical Airlift Interim Solution. – Each specified exercise is not just an chance to accumulate priceless experience. In this way, we besides build trust in the Polish army among allies – the MJR commander convinces.
Ships inactive at price
Meanwhile, coastal rocket forces are not only expanding Poland. In 2016, specified abilities began to be played by Sweden. The end of this trial was only 2 months ago. At that time, the Swedish Navy officially informed of the establishment of the 32th Coastal Squadron. Unit with RBS 15Mk II anti-ship missiles at its disposal Saab is stationed in Karlskron.
Estonia went in a akin direction. In the fall of 2021, the authorities in Tallinn announced their intention to get the Blue Spear singleapur-Israeli consortium Proteus Advance, which ranges nearly 300 km. Rockets reached the contractor a year ago. They'll be fired from the launch bay on Scania trucks. The Coast defence Squadron is liable for the operation of the fresh system.
In late 2023, Latvia signed an agreement to get NSM missiles. For her, as for the Estonians, specified solutions will be new. The coastal rocket systems have long owned Finland. It uses 85M MTO rocket launchers mounted on trucks with a scope of about 100 km. Interestingly, there is besides a classical barrel artillery to defend the coast. For now, the Finns usage stationary cannons. However, they started the process of acquiring mobile systems last year.
But the sea rocket boom is not only about the countries on the Baltic. Romania, which had already ordered NSM missiles any time ago, is besides expanding its capacity in this regard. They are intended to replace the outdated strategy of Outworld from russian times. The mobile launcher for combating targets at sea yet uses the American naval infantry. Marines have NSM missiles at their disposal, as well as long-range Raytheon Tomahawk Block V missiles.
Polish activities so perfectly fit into the global trend. “This is simply a good direction,” says kmdr Kołaczyński. – Launchers can be obtained faster than ships, they are cheaper and easier to maintain. And in the event of an armed conflict, they importantly increase the firepower of the Navy," he adds.
Therefore, it is expected that interest in specified solutions will not slow down soon. Especially among the east states of the NATO flank, which must arm not only intensively but besides quickly. However, this does not mean that conventional proportions will be shaken in the maritime domain. Even if they operate on waters as tiny as the Baltic Sea, ships will remain. This can be seen perfectly if you follow the orders submitted by individual countries. fresh vessels want to get not only Poland. Finland, Sweden or Germany follow the same path.
