The first elements of a new drone defence system have been installed in the Polish town of Krynki on the border with Belarus. The first component is a radar on an observation tower over 70 metres high, which will track and monitor objects approaching from the east.
According to RMF 24, similar radars will be installed on four more towers in the coming months, creating the first cluster of the system, which will be launched in January. Eventually, the system will be able to not only detect drones, but also neutralise them. The radar readings will be read at the electronic border barrier monitoring centre in Białystok and at border service facilities.
At the end of September, the European Union adopted a three-pronged approach to protecting its eastern flank: land, drone and sea ‘walls’. Improved detection, tracking and interception of drones was identified as a priority.
This decision was a consequence of the first violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones during the attack on Ukraine: on 10 September, the Polish Air Force was forced to shoot down drones over its territory.