A team of specialist British military engineers has been deployed to Poland to aid in the response to severe flooding that has impacted several regions of the country.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that more than 10 personnel from 517 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (STRE) are on the ground, providing vital support to local authorities and emergency services.
The Royal Engineers are playing a crucial role in addressing the aftermath of the floods, which have overwhelmed infrastructure and led to the evacuation of over 4,000 people.
Their work includes offering engineering expertise, such as rebuilding bridges and repairing damaged roads, as well as assisting with the coordination of relief efforts.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker expressed the UK’s commitment to supporting Poland during this crisis, stating, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland as they confront the devastating impact of these floods. This mission underscores the UK’s dedication to collective defence and humanitarian cooperation.”
The deployment comes amid ongoing close relations between the UK and Poland, which have strengthened in recent years. Both countries have worked closely together in military and economic support for Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
This includes a 2030 Strategic Partnership, signed last year, aimed at enhancing military capabilities and strengthening NATO’s defence posture.
British personnel are also stationed in Poland as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence mission, which includes air defence deployments such as the Sky Sabre system. The UK’s military presence in Poland highlights the broader alliance between the two nations, with Defence Minister Luke Pollard and Lord Coaker visiting British troops stationed in the country this week.
Nice to see the STREs getting a mention.
It’s a good bit of PR, especially with the Minister and his Lordship visiting
It would be nice if we saw more of these stories on the BBC and other main news channels. A reminder that the forces bring more than just ‘war fighting’ to the table.
The main news channels bury most defence news and that is why it seems to be off the radar of most UK residents and therefore defence is low in their priority pecking order.