East Front News #24: Macron in Poland, The War for the Sahel, American-made Unmanned Systems for the Polish Military

Bejda: We Must Keep Up the Tempo. Borsuk IFV Procurement By Year's End (INTERVIEW)

In an interview with Defence24.pl, Paweł Bejda, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence (MON), emphasizes that the modernization process must be carried out dynamically due to threats in Poland’s surrounding environment.

„The operational requirements of the Polish Armed Forces require a radical increase in competencies and production capacities on the part of the domestic defense industry,” he underscores. In the interview, he also discusses plans concerning the Borsuk and K2PL programs, ammunition production and standardization, and financing modernization.

The War for the Sahel (REPORT)

The Sahel is Africa’s Achilles« heel today. As the region grapples with numerous crises—ranging from the alarming intensification of jihadist insurgencies, ongoing political instability fueled by coups, illegal migration, to increasing environmental degradation—the need for comprehensive international engagement has never been more urgent. Across Africa, peace is becoming increasingly elusive, evidenced by the presence of UN peacekeeping forces, foreign militaries, private firms, and mercenaries. Military juntas, unable to govern effectively and maintain peace and security, have become the greatest concern for many Africans, significantly hindering any prospects for development. A decisive reassessment of strategies by leading organizations, particularly the European Union and NATO, is now essential to stabilize the region and prevent further disintegration. The conflict over the Sahel will have global ramifications and is already impacting NATO’s southern and eastern flanks. The report „The War for the Sahel” can be downloaded here.

Polish Soldiers in the USA: A Landmark Exercise

 The Polish military is deepening its collaboration with the United States Armed Forces in combating cyber threats, marking an important milestone in their defence partnership. This close cooperation enhances the security of both nations while fostering the development of defensive capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Representatives of Poland’s Cyber Defence Force Command (DKWOC), including senior leadership, have been engaging in delegations to the U.S. to strengthen bilateral relations and acquire new skills through joint initiatives.

The U.S. has played a key role in building Poland’s cyber defence capabilities, and the relationship between the two nations in the cyber domain has grown steadily. Regular activities now include videoconferences, delegations, joint exercises, and the exchange of knowledge and experts. Over the past two years, cooperation has intensified, with over 16 initiatives aimed at supporting Poland’s cyber forces. According to Major Emmanuel Rivera of the 16th Air Force, the collaboration transcends professional partnership, reflecting a deep and growing bond between the two allies. 

Macron in Poland: A New Chapter for French-Polish Relations

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Poland highlighted a strategic shift in European defence and diplomacy, as France sought to deepen ties with Warsaw amid rising security challenges. The discussions centred on Ukraine, European security, and Poland’s upcoming EU presidency, underscoring Poland’s growing influence in the region. Macron positioned France as a leader in European defence, emphasizing strategic autonomy while advocating for bilateral initiatives, including nuclear energy projects, advanced defence systems (such as the „Orka” submarine programme), and renewable energy development. These efforts reflect France’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s collective resilience against global threats and reducing reliance on external powers. 

The visit also showcased a recalibration of Franco-Polish relations, with Poland emerging as a key partner in shaping EU policies, particularly as tensions with Berlin persist. Macron’s diplomatic efforts demonstrated a recognition of Poland’s pivotal role on NATO’s eastern flank and its capacity to influence regional stability. However, the cautious exclusion of Polish troop deployments to Ukraine indicated a measured approach, balancing military support with political sensitivities. This visit marks a promising step in fostering a pragmatic partnership, with the potential to redefine European security and energy cooperation for years to come. Next year, a new agreement will be signed in Nancy during the spring, following Poland’s presidency of the EU. 

Nighttime Attack on Ukraine: Poland Scrambles Fighter Jets

 Following nighttime strikes by the Russian Federation on Ukraine, Poland’s Operational Command initiated military aviation operations within its airspace, underscoring a swift response to escalating tensions. Fighter jets were scrambled, and ground-based air defence systems, along with radar reconnaissance units, were placed on the highest level of readiness. These measures aim to secure Poland’s borders, particularly in regions adjacent to the conflict zone, and reflect the country’s proactive stance as a key NATO ally on the eastern flank. By maintaining heightened vigilance and readiness, Poland demonstrates its commitment to regional stability and its preparedness to counter potential threats arising from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The End of Syria as We Know It

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime represents not just the demise of a tyrant but the beginning of a completely new Syria, though the nature of this new reality remains uncertain. It also signifies a profound geopolitical shock for the entire region and, to some extent, on a global scale, rife with unanswered questions.

At the time of writing, rumors of Assad’s death remain unconfirmed, but it appears he did not reach Latakia (by the time of publication, the Russian news agency TASS reported that Assad had been granted asylum in Moscow - editor’s note). Indications suggest that the Alawites chose not to resist in the coastal strip encompassing Latakia and Tartus, where Russian bases are located. Does this mark the end of Russia’s presence in Syria?

American-made Unmanned Systems for the Polish Military

On Thursday, 12th December, a contract was signed at the Polish Ministry of Defence for the procurement of MQ-9B SkyGuardian reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial systems. The agreement is valued at approximately $310 million net, equivalent to over 1.2 billion PLN. The exact number of MQ-9Bs purchased, as well as their specific configuration, equipment, and armament, have not been disclosed.

A noteworthy announcement from representatives of the manufacturer revealed that the first MQ-9B for Poland is already ready. This suggests that deliveries to Poland might be accelerated, although the contract is officially scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Aleksander Olech, PhD & Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief, Michał Górski