Poland is rallying NATO allies to construct a cutting-edge aerial defence shield for Ukraine, specifically designed to neutralise the growing menace of Russian drone assaults. The ambitious proposal, likened to creating a European-made 'Iron Dome', seeks to pool Western technology and resources to protect Ukrainian skies.
The urgent initiative was revealed by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski during a high-level meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. He emphasised the critical need for a coordinated international effort, stating the system would be 'a common project for the whole alliance'.
A Coalition of the Willing
While the proposal is open to all NATO members, Mr. Sikorski suggested that a smaller, dedicated 'coalition of the willing' could drive the project forward more rapidly. This core group would be responsible for funding, developing, and deploying the integrated anti-drone network.
The move comes in direct response to Ukraine's desperate pleas for more advanced defence systems. Russian drones, often cheaply produced but deployed in devastating swarms, have been inflicting significant damage on civilian infrastructure and military positions alike.
Beyond the Battlefield: Securing the Border
In a related development, Poland is taking its own direct action to secure its frontier. The government has signed a staggering £2.3 billion (10 billion złoty) contract to create a formidable 'Shield-East' defence system along its entire border with Russia and Belarus.
This comprehensive barrier will incorporate state-of-the-art surveillance, anti-drone technology, and ground-based fortifications, representing the largest investment in Poland's national security in modern history. Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared the project a fundamental necessity for national safety in the face of 'hybrid warfare' and irregular migration flows allegedly engineered by Moscow and Minsk.
The dual strategy of bolstering Ukraine's defences while hardening its own border underscores Poland's pivotal role as a key frontline state in the West's standoff with Russia, marking a significant escalation in regional security measures.
