Poland to Change Rules for Shooting Down Russian Aircraft

Poland’s Ministry of Defense will change, in the coming days, the procedures for using weapons against Russian aerial objects that violate Polish airspace.

Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk announced the changes, according to RMF24.

Major General Ireneusz Nowak, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, made the decision.

The new rules will apply to Polish fighter jet and helicopter crews responsible for protecting the country’s airspace.

Under the new procedures, pilots will no longer be required to visually identify an aerial target before taking action. This requirement normally applies during peacetime.

Under the current rules, a pilot must approach the object at close range and visually confirm what it is before opening fire.

Under the updated rules, the military will switch to so-called “positive identification” based on radar data.

To decide whether to destroy a target, the pilot or operational commander will only need to rely on radar readings.

The new protocols will allow fighter jets to shoot down enemy drones and missiles significantly faster.

As previously reported, Russia is planning drone and missile strikes against countries that support Ukraine, including Poland.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that similar threats had been discussed before, but that the information available now is more convincing.

Poland’s Ministry of the Interior is also testing a new mobile app designed to quickly alert the public about emergencies.