The defense ministry said the government will soon begin work on an amendment to streamline naval operations on the Baltic.
A ship or aircraft commander could authorize weapons use to repel a “direct, unlawful attack” or to prevent actions leading directly to such an assault.
The proposal would allow the navy to respond to incidents involving Polish vessels and infrastructure, including the Baltic Pipe gas link and offshore drilling platforms. Naval commanders and crew would receive the powers of military policing bodies, including the right to use firearms in specified cases.
Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski said the navy would operate similarly to Border Guard vessels “in our territorial waters and our economic zone on the Baltic,” adding that the rules would ease Poland’s participation in the NATO Baltic patrol operation Baltic Sentry.
Amendments to the law on the deployment or presence of the Polish Armed Forces abroad would add new grounds for sending troops, such as “strengthening the security of the Republic of Poland” and “permanent operational activity to monitor external security.”
The draft also states that use of forces outside Poland may be based on the inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24