In an interview to mark Aviation Day on August 28, TVP World spoke to Damian Ratka, the editor of the Defence24 website, about the increasingly important role of the air force.
“Polish aviation is very significant;, it started with the 1920 war with Bolshevik Russia. This was the beginning of the Polish air force. Notably, they also fought in the Battle of Britain,” Ratka said.
Asked about recent changes to the Polish air force, Ratka emphasized the rapid evolution that is occurring.
“We are procuring modern fighter jets like the F45. [Poland has] also procured light trainer and fighter jets from Korea, the FA50,” he said.
When asked about the unique or special features of the Polish air force, Ratka referred to the Eastern Shield project, a program initiated to strengthen the country’s borders with Russia and Belarus.
“The system for missile and air defense being built in Poland is something unique among NATO allies. Because this is the first multi-layer air defense system” on such a scale,” Ratka said.
“The Polish air defense system is not only based on foreign procurement but also on domestic systems like radars. Poland is one of the larger and more advanced radar producers in Europe and probably the world. One of the most interesting is the passive location system. It doesn’t emit any radiation and is very difficult to detect,” Ratka noted.
