We're constantly working to be able to quickly, with surgical precision, destruct the most crucial targets in the depths of the enemy's operational. And we are successful – says Brig-Gen Andrzej Kupis, Head of the Board of Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Inspectorate of Land Forces. The General explains the importance of achieving the ability of Polish artillerymen to kill targets over very long distances.
General, during the fresh ‘Baltic Shield’ exercises conducted with the Danish Polish lobster-K set shot for over 79 km. Is this a evidence long shot in the past of Polish artillery?
Definitely. This is not only evidence significance, but above all proof that our rocket artillery has reached a completely fresh operational maturity. A shot at a distance of over 79 km, ending with a direct hit on the target, made a immense impression on everyone. For me, however, from the position of command and combat application, the most crucial is the background of this task – namely model Polish-Danish cooperation. The implementation of specified a fire task required absolute synchronisation with our allies from Denmark: from joint planning and safety of space, to highly demanding coordination and exchange of exploratory data.
These exercises prove that we can carry out specified demanding projects not only in our own group, but besides in a full integrated allied environment.
What does the results of the shooting truly mean, as shown by the capabilities, capabilities and method upgrades of the military?
These results are absolute and hard evidence that the modernization of the armed forces is simply a multidimensional, continuous process that we successfully, step by step, carry out. The improvement of the military should not be seen solely by the prism of a one-time acquisition of modern launchers. We consistently build a full spectrum of fresh capabilities: from the adaptation of doctrines to the improvement of infrastructure and continuous training of staff to the implementation of the mark equipment.
It truly means that Polish Missiles and artillery are undergoing an advanced process of transformation, whose aim is to be able to conduct multi-domain operations. Each exercise is another step in expanding our technological maturity. We are not talking about a closed chapter, but about the continuous dynamic improvement of WRiA. From the point of view of command and operations, it is crucial for us to drastically reduce the time taken to carry out tasks. This is what we are constantly working on – to accelerate the full decision-making and executive cycle in order to be able to quickly, with surgical precision, destruct the most crucial goals in the operating depth of the enemy.
Why was Polish artillery active in exercises with Danish? Don't we have anywhere in Poland to grind the skills of shooting at specified long distances?
There is nothing to hide – physics and geography impose their limitations. rocket systems with specified powerful capabilities and scope require immense safety zones. National camps, due to the density of population in Poland, do not necessarily give us full space to test the maximum parameters of this weapon. And this is the natural phase of modern army development. So we usage the infrastructure of our allies, in this case working very closely with the armed forces of Denmark. However, I want to make it clear: searching for the right space to shoot is just one, not the most crucial reason.
The real value of specified exercises is to build interoperability. Playing side by side with the Danes We have a unique chance to test in polygonal conditions the coalition exchange of information. We verify in practice the operation of data exchange protocols (e.g. ASCA) in a combined, multinational environment. We learn to carry out fire tasks in a situation where the mark detection sensor can belong to an ally from Denmark, and the impactor is Polish. It is this integration that builds the real combined force of the North Atlantic Alliance.
How does the Danish army measure our rocket troops and artillery? Are we truly that strong in this regard? Like any specialists, I believe we have the strongest artillery on the Old Continent.
This is an highly upbuilding opinion with which it is hard to argue, looking at the unprecedented scale of our modernization. However, from the point of view of military craftsmanship, I always effort to speech this purely quantitative enthusiasm. Our allies – specified as the Danes – do not justice us solely by the prism of hardware tables and announcements about purchases. They're assessing us on the basis of real operational capabilities. Of course, in terms of the number of modern barrels and launchers, we are becoming an undisputed European power.
But for NATO commanders, our actual strength lies elsewhere. The top respect comes from how efficiently we adapt fresh technologies and the advanced level that our command and service staff present. For allied armies today, we are a partner who not only has a powerful arsenal, but can usage it wisely and precisely in a combined combat environment. We are full aware of our potential, but we besides know that our real strength is determined by our willingness to execute the task flawlessly, not just the titles in the press.
