We are beginning a base that will defend the freedom and safety of the world," said president Andrzej Duda at the American rocket base in Redzikov. “This installation makes Europe, the United States, Poland and NATO even safer,” added Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The president and Deputy Prime Minister took part in the beginning ceremony of the facility.
The beginning ceremony of the Aegis Ashore base in Redisco, which is part of the American rocket shield, was held on Wednesday. During the ceremony, president Andrzej Duda recalled that the decision to build it was made in 2008. At the time, president Lech Kaczyński said that it was very crucial that it would be created in Poland, as it would defend the planet against ballistic missiles, and the Americans themselves would defender it and its associated military secrets. – erstwhile this base stands here, the full planet will see clearly and clearly that it is no longer a Russian sphere of influence. And from our Polish point of view this is strategically the most crucial – he recalled the words of his predecessor president Duda.
He besides stressed that it was very crucial for American soldiers to be stationed in Poland. “I will repeat what I have said to the Presidents of the United States in the privacy of my cabinets over the last fewer years and to the American generals and admirals whom I had the pleasance of talking to.” he said. – If there is individual in the planet who is dissatisfied with having American soldiers and an American base, then come to us. We warmly invitation you! We will always welcome you with joy," he added.
Also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz spoke about the importance of alliances in Redzików. He stressed that the beginning of the base proves excellent Polish-American cooperation, and is besides a guarantor of the presence of US Army soldiers in Poland. “This is tangible proof of our alliance,” he said. “Strategically, it is 1 of the most crucial events for Poland after 1989,” he said.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed out that the analysis of the course of modern conflicts, specified as in Ukraine, shows how crucial air defence is. And thanks to the beginning of the base in Redzikow, Poland has become part of the most effective air defence strategy in the world. “This is simply a milestone in our safety efforts,” he said. “This installation makes Europe, the United States, Poland and NATO even safer,” he stressed.
The event was besides attended by Adam Stuart Munsch, commander of the U.S. Navy in Europe and Africa, Mark Brzezinski, Ambassador of the United States to Poland and Radosław Sikorski, Minister of abroad Affairs, who in 2008 signed with Condoleezza Rice, American Secretary of State, a contract whereby the construction of the base in Redzików began. – It is simply a good day for the safety of the United States, NATO and Poland. I am pleased with the establishment of this base and I will pray that it will never should be used," said the head of the Polish abroad Ministry today.
The base in Redzików, which present officially started, is part of the EPAA (European Phased Adaptive Approach), a alleged rocket shield that the Americans created to defend NATO states from ballistic attacks from the mediate East. In addition to the unit located in Poland, it is besides formed by a rocket counterbase in Romania and early informing radar in Turkey. Their actions are besides supported by American destroyers based in Spain. On the another hand, the EPAA command center is located in German Ramstein.
The heart of the unit located in Poland, its authoritative name is Naval Support Facility Redzikowo, is the Aegis Ashore system. It was designed for the needs of ships and is utilized present by the US NAVY. Its terrestrial version, which was located in Redzików, consists of: radar AN/SPY-1, Mk 41 VLS launchers or anti-balistic SM-3 missiles (Standard Missile-3). They may harm the enemy's rockets in the highest and final phases of flight, utilizing kinetic energy for this purpose. This means that they act on a hit-to-kill principle, which means they destruct the mark by hitting it at advanced speed.
The decision on whether and erstwhile the weaponisation of the base in Redzikow will be utilized will be made in EUCOM, which is the European Command of the United States and NATO, due to the fact that it is the bodies under the authority of the unit. However, American soldiers stationed in Poland will be active to carry out the tasks. presently there are about 200 of them in Redzikow. On the another hand, the battalion of Base Protection created by the Polish Army is liable for the protection of the unit.
The decision to make an anti-missile base in Redzików was made in 2008 and its construction began 8 years later. The deadline for completion of the work was repeatedly pushed, partially a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but besides the financial problems of 1 of the subcontractors.
The Americans spent $850 million to invest in Redisk. The base is expected to service them for 50-75 years.
