Secret missile supply to Ukraine: Did Poland give away its most deadly weapons by putting the country’s security at stake?

The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has now taken a new and very serious turn. This time, the center of controversy is not a Russian attack, but Ukraine’s closest ally, Poland. An allegation has been leveled against the Polish government, which has created an earthquake in the country’s politics. It is alleged that the Polish government has secretly handed over to Ukraine the expensive Patriot interceptor missiles (Patriot PAC-3 MSE) purchased for its security, keeping the country’s parliament in the dark. After this revelation, questions are being raised in Poland whether the government has put the lives of its own citizens at stake in order to help Ukraine? Let us know why American Patriot missiles are so important. If Poland has really reduced its missile stock, what impact could it have on its security…

Plan to create a rift between Ukraine and Poland

This missile dispute has come to light at a time when Russia is already looking to create a diplomatic rift between the two countries. According to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Alexander Bortnikov, the chief of Russia’s intelligence agency FSB, is directly running a disinformation campaign. Under this, fake historical documents related to the Volhynia tragedy of the Second World War are being spread through Russian media and troll farms, so that historical hatred can be instigated between the people of Poland and Ukraine and Poland will stop supporting Ukraine.

What is Poland’s secret missile transfer scandal?

This big scam in Poland was revealed by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Krzysztof Bosak. He wrote on the social media platform

Former Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has called it a big scam. He said, ‘If the news of transfer of PAC-3 MSE missiles is true, then it is a big mess with the security of the country. “Sending one of our most important weapons abroad at a time when the government itself is constantly warning of Russian attacks and provocations runs counter to its core duty of protecting civilians.”

Why are PAC-3 MSE missiles so special?

PAC-3 MSE (Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement) is one of the world’s most advanced air-defense missiles, manufactured by America’s Lockheed Martin company.

• Hit-to-kill techniques: This missile does not explode near the enemy missile in the air, but directly collides with the enemy missile (ballistic or cruise missile) and destroys it.
• Price and scarcity: The cost of a PAC-3 MSE missile is approximately 4 to 5 million dollars (about Rs 33-41 crore). They are manufactured very slowly, hence America also has a huge shortage of them. Poland had bought them from America by paying a heavy price for its multi-layered air-defense system.

How many Patriot missiles does Ukraine have?

Poland currently has two operational Patriot missile batteries, each with 16 launchers.

Patriot system near Ukraine

• Ukraine currently has about 5 to 7 Patriot batteries. (A battery consists of radar, control station and 6 to 8 missile launchers).
  These systems have been donated to Ukraine by countries like America, Germany, Netherlands and Romania.
• Ukraine’s biggest problem is not the system, but the interceptor missiles. To stop every Russian attack, Ukraine indiscriminately fires Patriot missiles, due to which its stock is continuously depleting. This is the reason why these missiles must have been taken secretly from Poland.

power of russia

• Russia has more than 50 battalions of S-400 for defense, which are considered equivalent to the Patriot system.
• Russia has a large stockpile of Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles for attack, to stop which Ukraine uses Patriot.

What threats could there be for Poland?

The biggest argument of the opposition is related to the security of the country. Poland’s geographical position makes it a direct target of Russia.

• Shadow of Kaliningrad: Kaliningrad, a small part of Russia, is adjacent to the border with Poland. Russia has deployed its most dangerous Iskander ballistic missiles there. Any missile fired from Kaliningrad can reach Poland’s capital Warsaw within a few minutes.
• Loss of sole shield: According to Deputy Speaker Krzysztof Bosak, Poland had only PAC-3 MSE missiles which have the capability to shoot down Russian Iskander missiles in the air. If Poland has given these missiles to Ukraine, it simply means that Poland has left its skies completely open and unsafe in front of Russian attacks.
• Defense Gap: If Russia launches a missile attack on Poland today, Poland will have no strong system to defend itself.

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