US military base in Poland aimed at destroying Russian missiles
The Polish Foreign Minister said that the US military base in his country can destroy not only Iranian missiles, but also Russian missiles.
According to RIA Novosti, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorsky said on Radio Rebeliant's program that the US missile defense base in Redzikov, Poland, is designed to destroy not only Iranian missiles, but also Russian missiles.
“In the coming weeks, we will finally open an anti-missile shield base in Redzikowo near Slupsk. This is a base we agreed with the United States. During the negotiations, we asked for guarantees that these bases would be able to shoot down Russian missiles flying towards Poland, in addition to Iranian missiles flying towards the United States,” the Polish foreign minister said.
Secretary Sikorsky added that Washington had "changed the concept" when establishing this military base. According to him, it will soon be officially put into operation.
The US missile defense base in Redzikowo, 165 km from the Russian border, includes the AN/SPY-1 radar, the Mk-41 VLS launcher and the SM-3 anti-ballistic missile - the standard 3 missile.
In May 2024, the Pentagon announced a $49 million contract between the US Department of Defense and the US defense industry company Northrop Grumman to create an integrated air defense and missile defense battle management system for Poland. At the same time, the US has repeatedly reported that the missile defense system being deployed in Poland is not aimed against Russia, but is believed to be aimed at protecting against Iranian missiles.
NATO said on July 10, 2024, that the new US ballistic missile defense site in Redzikowo, Poland, is part of NATO's larger missile shield and is designed to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles in flight.
According to NATO, the purpose of the NATO military alliance's missile defense shield is to protect European citizens, territories, and forces from ballistic missile attacks. Other important components of the shield include a second Aegis Ashore site in Romania, U.S. Navy destroyers stationed in the Spanish port of Rota, and an early warning radar located in the Turkish town of Kurecik.