An American missile defense base was opened in Poland: a security signal for NATO and a challenge for Russia
In the Polish village of Redzikovo it is solemn opened the American anti-missile defense base “Aegis Ashore”, which became an important component of the security system of Poland and NATO against the background of the war in Ukraine. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from Poland and the United States, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, the US ambassador, and representatives of the American administration.
Speaking at the opening, President Andrzej Duda emphasized the strategic importance of the base for Poland and NATO.
“The world will clearly see that this is no longer a zone of Russian interests. For Poland, this is the most strategically important step”, he declared.
The Minister of Defense of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysh, in turn, called the opening of the base “a significant event in the history of the security of Poland, the United States and NATO“.
He emphasized that the war in Ukraine and threats in the Middle East confirm the need to strengthen air defense.
The base in Redzikov is equipped with the Aegis Ashore system, which is capable of detecting, tracking and destroying ballistic missiles in the initial stage of flight. This is the second such installation in Europe; the first one has been operating since 2016 in Devesel, Romania. NATO’s anti-missile shield also includes four US Navy destroyers based in the Spanish port of Rota and an early warning radar in Kuredcic, Turkey.
The base project in Redzikov was initiated during the presidency of George Bush Jr. as part of the defense of Europe against ballistic threats from Iran. However, Poland has always seen it as protection against potential Russian aggression.
NATO emphasizes the exclusively defensive nature of the Aegis Ashore system. Despite this, Russia was categorically against its placement in Europe from the very beginning.
Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski noted that Aegis Ashore can also shoot down Russian ballistic missiles if they are aimed at Poland, which gives the base even greater strategic importance.
