The Navy is 1 of 5 types of Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. Its task is to defend the interests of Poland at sea, as well as to safeguard the borders and safety of the state. It shall cooperate with another types of armed forces in its activities. Importantly, the Navy is prepared to operate not only in the Baltic Sea, but besides within another waters.
Naval History
The beginnings of the Polish Navy should be seen in 1463 erstwhile the Gdańsk-Elbląska fleet won the naval conflict with the Teutonic Knights on the Vistula River. Further improvement took place during the reign of Sigismund II Augustus, who formed a caper fleet in 1517. It took part in conflicts with the Grand Duchy of Moscow and with the Teutonic Order. However, the Cape Fleet was liquidated in 1522. An organized caper fleet was established in 1561, which was a consequence to the threat from Russia and Sweden. On 29 July 1571 it was attacked by the Danes who took Polish ships. In this way it was essential to organize a fresh kind of army that could defender Poland's interests at sea.
In the first period of II the Republic of Poland was based on equipment derived from the invaders, mainly German ships. Its organization began in 1918. It was only in the 1930s that the improvement of this kind of military took place. This was mainly due to the acquisition of modern ships built in abroad shipyards. These were various types of machines, including destroyers, frigates, submarines, trawlers.
During planet War II, naval ships participated in many naval operations. The most crucial activities involving Polish sailors include hunting Bismarck and the celebrated landing of Allies in Normandy. Many Polish units were stationed in the UK, and any of them were sunk during the war.
During the period of the Polish People's Republic, all naval vessels that survived planet War II returned to Poland. Since the Polish People's Republic belonged to the countries of the Warsaw Pact, all activities concerning the improvement of specified armed forces were carried out in agreement with the Red Army. Moreover, the Navy was prepared for a possible attack on Denmark in the event of another conflict in Europe.
After 1989, there was a change in the doctrine of war, and the challenges faced by the Navy changed. Impact aviation was eliminated, among others. In turn Poland's accession to NATO forced the request for a thorough modernization of the navy. The Allied States have even given respective units to make this restructuring much more efficient. It is worth noting that during this period Polish Navy soldiers took part in respective military operations: “Pustynny Storm” (1990–1991), “Irak Freedom” (2002−2003) and “Active Effort” (2005−2006). Their experience was invaluable.
Polish Navy Modern
Today, the Navy is facing many problems that arise primarily from the deficiency of a unified strategy for the improvement of this kind of armed forces. However, the equipment utilized by Polish sailors is subject to continuous modernisation to better meet the requirements of the modern battlefield. Unfortunately, in practice, this does not look as the decision makers would like.
The Polish Navy has many ships of different destiny. These include fregates (ORP ‘Gen. Pułaski’ and ORP ‘Gen. T. Kościuszko’), multitasking corvettes (ORP ‘Kashub’ and ORP ‘Ślązak’), tiny rocket vessels (ORP ‘Orkan’, ORP ‘Piorun’ and ORP ‘Grom’), submarines (ORP ‘Mielno’, ORP ‘Wicko’, ORP ‘Resko’, ORP ‘Sarbsko’, ORP ‘Necko’, ORP ‘Nakło’, ORP ‘Drukno’, ORP ‘Dąbie’, OR ‘Mielno’, ORP ‘ORP ‘Wry’, OR ‘ORP ‘ORP’, OR ‘Sarbsko’, OR ‘ORP ‘Necko’, ORP ‘ORP’, ORP ‘Nakło’, ORP ‘ORP’, ORP ‘P’, ORP ‘Drukni’, ORKni’, OR ‘H’, ORP ‘W’, ORP ‘W’, ORP ‘W’
In addition, seamen have at their disposal floating auxiliary vessels (towing boats, tankers, demagnetisation stations, hydrographic boats, transport-passenger boats, torpedoer, speedboats, boats, barges and yachts). Lovers of the Navy can visit the ship-museum of the ORP "Splinter" which moors in Gdynia all day. On its board you can see various kinds of exhibitions, as well as a look at weapons and engine room. It is so not amazing that Lightning is of large interest to visitors Gdynia and close the port of the Naval Museum.
The Navy besides has its own aviation. These are Bryza-type aircraft of different uses, as well as respective types of helicopters to combat submarines, as well as utilized for transport and rescue purposes. In addition, naval equipment includes anti-aircraft weapons, radio-location stations, command systems and Marine Rocket Unit.
Marine overall condition
Many experts point out that the modern condition of the Navy does not meet the challenges of the modern world, which makes its combat capabilities highly questionable. First of all, this is due to the fact that any ships are obsolete and not full functional. Moreover, any of them inactive remember the times of the Cold War. There is no uncertainty that there is simply a justified request to modernise the Navy. Nevertheless, there is inactive a deficiency of a comprehensive strategy for further development. After 1989, individual governments only took immediate steps without a long-term vision.
This kind of action, i.e. individual purchases and retrofitting of obsolete equipment at comparatively inexpensive cost, can take revenge on decision-makers in the event of a conflict. Ships that do not meet the requirements of the modern battlefield can prove to be completely useless in specified a situation. The solution to these problems may be the implementation of the “Meaner” project. Within its framework Three modern frigates will rise, which will constitute the largest contract in the past of the Polish arms industry. These ships will be built in Naval Shipyard, Gdynia, with the participation of a abroad partner.
That is not all, however, due to the fact that sailors urgently request fresh submarines. Until recently, there were 3 specified units in the service – ORP Eagle, ORP Belik and ORP Vulture. The last 2 are Kobben ships, which were handed over to Poland by Norway. They were launched in the second half of the 1960s and were withdrawn from service in the Navy in 2021. fresh units are needed to replace Norwegian structures.
In addition, we should think about expanding the air fleet of the Polish Navy. In today’s world, drones that sailors do not have play an increasingly crucial role. I'm certain we could usage fresh helicopters.
Polish Navy has an highly beautiful tradition and many successes in his account. Unfortunately, this kind of armed force is treated by successive governments in a way that prevents it from developing properly. In order to be possible, however, not only measures but besides precise plans are needed.
Robert Adamski
