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New Polish law expands military powers to secure Baltic Sea

08.02.2026 12:30
Poland has enacted a new law that expands the powers of its armed forces to improve security in the Baltic Sea.
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Pixabay LicenseImage by Michaela 💗 from Pixabay

The measure, signed by President Karol Nawrocki last month, mandates broader authority for the navy to protect critical infrastructure and faster deployment of warships beyond the country's territorial waters.

The new rules strengthen the role of the Polish military—as well as the Border Guard and police—in responding to threats at sea and in the air, according to officials.

The aim is to improve air defence and maritime monitoring in Polish territorial waters, as well as in international waters of the Baltic Sea, state news agency PAP reported.

The law, known as "Safe Baltic," allows naval and military aviation units to use force, including weapons, to defend critical infrastructure, act in self-defence, or protect other Polish military, Border Guard or police vessels and aircraft.

Polish officials say the new regulations will help protect critical infrastructure such as the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline and offshore drilling platforms.

The Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea. The oil and gas installation is operated by Orlen Petrobaltic, a subsidiary of Poland's state-owned energy giant Orlen. Photo: Mirafiori, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Source: IAR, PAP