Poland, forming the European Union Combat Group, takes work and shows that it is 1 of the leaders in the Union. This is our contribution to the safety of Europe and the planet – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish in Kraków. The defence minister inaugurated the Visegrad Group's yearly combat duty. Its main force is the 6th Airborne Brigade soldiers.
– This is an crucial minute for Europe and for Poland. Faced with the increasing hybrid war, Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, it will invade the Polish border and attack on the lives and wellness of our soldiers and officers. In view of the attack on the borders of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the effort to illegally cross them and everything that is happening in Europe, including acts of sabotage, diversion and attacks in cyberspace, The European Union must be active and firm," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish. The head of the MON took part in the beginning ceremony in Krakow Visegrad European Union Combat Group. The ceremony took place in the 6th Airborne Brigade, due to the fact that it was on the basis of this unit that the EU fast consequence forces were formed. Polish soldiers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary will support Poles on duty.
Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the EU should be even more active in safety matters. He mentioned the request to rebuild the European arms manufacture and pointed out that the EU should besides have a commissioner for security, defence and the defence industry. – A fast consequence is besides needed. The EU Combat Group takes work for 12 months and fulfills the EU strategical compass set up after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine," added the head of the MON.
Film: Magdalena Kowalska-Sendek, Maciej Bąkowski/ ArmouredTV
The Deputy Prime Minister besides explained why Poland is redelegating force to the EU on-call. "At the beginning of the year, the advanced typical of the European Union for abroad Affairs and safety Policy asked all EU members to fill the gap in the formation of a militant group. There were not many willing and ready. It means that the state of preparation in many countries is inadequate for threats. But Poland understands and is ready," Kosiniak-Kamish stressed. “We have so decided to issue the GBUE as a substance of urgency. Poland takes this responsibility, showing that it is 1 of the leaders of the Union. This is our contribution to the safety of Europe and the world," he added.
The defence minister besides thanked the commander 6th Airborne Brigade and paratroopers for taking the challenge and very fast preparation for duty. Freedom needs strength, courage, efficiency. All this has the GBUE, which Poland and its allies are exhibiting. We're very arrogant of you. Poland is grateful for your service, dedication and readiness to defend our values," added the head of the MON.
Commander 6 of the BPD and at the same time Commander of the EU Combat Group Brig-Gen Michał Strzelecki explained that on-call time in the EU would last 1 year, not six months so far. – On 1 July the GBUE formed on the basis of the 6th BPD began on-call, which will last until 30 June 2025. We will keep the ability to respond immediately to possible threats as an avant-garde of the EU crisis consequence system," said General Strzelecki. This is not a fresh task for us. beginning of operational directions at a crucial distance from the borders of the Polish Republic as part of operations carried out in the global environment is included in the process of training of modern air landing troops and annually improved during global exercises, specified as ‘Swift Response’‘Baltops’ or ‘Falcon Leap’. We feel arrogant that it is us, the paratroopers, who have been entrusted for the 3rd time with the task of establishing the command of the GBUE and the core of its forces," stressed the commander of the 6th Brigade. “This is our contribution to creating the safety of the European Union and our homelands,” added the general.
The conflict Group is an EU fast consequence force capable of acting in the event of a crisis. The GBEU remains on continuous work alert and can be diverted within a radius of 6 000 kilometres from Brussels to humanitarian assistance, rescue missions, stabilisation missions, peacekeeping operations, crisis management or repatriation of European citizens. From the minute the decision to mention the GBEU to action is made at political level, soldiers have a maximum of 14 days to take action. And their mission could take 30 to 120 days.
The Visegrad EU Combat Group has just over 2,300 soldiers, most of whom are Poles. The Czech Armed Forces have delegated dozens of soldiers who will be liable for medical security, Slovakia releases the chopper component and Hungarians supply strategical air transport. GBUE maneuvering battalion consists of soldiers 18 of the Bielsko Airborne Battalion, but forces to the combat group besides delegate Command 6 of the BPD and 6th Battalion of Command. Paratroopers will besides be supported by soldiers from another units, including the 2nd Bomb Squad, the 12th Mechanized Division, the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, the Military Gendarmerie and the Centre of Preparation for abroad Missions.
