Poland plans to join a project to develop a European-wide air defense system to deter potential drone and missile attacks, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Warsaw on Monday. - It doesn't take much imagination to understand that Europe is also in a danger zone. So I am glad that Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded positively to my intention for Poland to join a project in Europe that will build a dome protecting the European sky against possible missile attacks. We will cooperate in any format that brings us closer to this goal - PM Donald Tusk told reporters.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk (R) and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen during a joint press conference after the meeting at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. Photo by Paweł Supernak/PAP

"European countries are discussing a defense system against drones and missiles. Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom are cooperating within NATO on the European defense system," stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk today. "This latest attack by Iran on Israel confirmed how important it is to have this type of installation. There is no reason for Europe to be deprived of an effective anti-missile and anti-drone shield", he added.

The so-called European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) currently includes 21 countries. The ESSI, launched in 2022, is a German initiative for ground-based air defense in Europe, aims to bolster air and missile defense across Europe.

Poland is expanding its own air defense system consisting of the Pilica/Poprad, Narew and Wisła systems.

(J)