The UK’s Sky Sabre air defence deployment in Poland has concluded after more than two years, marking the end of an operation that initially began as a six-month mission in 2022.
The deployment, which was extended four times, played a crucial role in bolstering NATO’s eastern flank and ensuring regional security in the face of Russian aggression.
At a ceremony in Rzeszów, Poland, British and Polish troops celebrated the conclusion of the deployment. The event was attended by UK Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard and Polish Secretary of State Paweł Zalewski, who jointly praised the mission’s success and the professionalism of the British Armed Forces.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP commended the deployed personnel, stating:
“This operation has been a huge success. The Sky Sabre system played an important role in defending Poland’s airspace. Our outstanding Armed Forces personnel keep us secure at home and strong abroad, and I’d like to thank them for their professionalism and hard work during this extended deployment.”
Pollard also highlighted the enduring partnership between the UK and Poland, adding:
“The UK remains unshakeable in its commitment to defending our NATO allies, and we will continue to work closely with our Polish Allies, including through a deployment of RAF Typhoons next year.”
The Sky Sabre system, designed to counter modern threats, will be reconstituted in the UK. While the Sky Sabre system returns home, the UK’s support for Poland’s defence continues. In 2025, the Royal Air Force will participate in a NATO Air Policing mission in Poland to deter potential adversaries and protect NATO’s eastern flank.
Additionally, the UK-led DIAMOND initiative, launched at NATO’s Defence Ministers meeting in October, aims to improve NATO’s integrated air and missile defence systems across Europe, with Poland as an active participant.
The UK-Poland defence partnership has been further strengthened through initiatives like the £4 billion NAREW programme. This collaboration between MBDA, a UK defence firm, and Poland’s PGZ will deliver over 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and 100 iLaunchers. These systems will enhance Poland’s ability to counter threats from cruise missiles and fighter jets at ranges exceeding 40 kilometres.
Pollard emphasised the dual benefits of this partnership, stating:
“This programme boosts Poland’s ability to defend itself while creating growth and opportunities for the UK’s defence industry, reaffirming our commitment to NATO’s eastern flank.”
And about time two given the Polish are in a lot better security position than we are on GBAD 🚀 🙄 🇬🇧
We are in zero risk though due to range and the whole of European airspace between us and Russia.
For sure poland has way better defences but it also has a border issue.
Not at risk ? The Russians do have submarines .
A non nuclear IRBM send from Kaliningrad can hit London, same for drones. Distance from Kaliningrad to London is like from Iran to Israel.
It’ll sound crazy, but it’s actually closer.
Never heard of submarine launched cruise missiles?
Can’t believe I read that! Not ignoring naval and sub threat, what about the Air launched missiles, from bear, and those supersonic things the tu 22, and Su 34 was a maritime strike aircraft when first proposed Estimated combat range of tu 22 is 2500 km with 10,000 kg load Bear, does fly to Cuba….. I hope you are not making any key decisions! Sorry to flame you, but imagine what might happen if that line was quoted and someone did not have subject matter experts.? Please there’s alot said here, I think people have to be cautious about what… Read more »
Mark Rutte ain’t no Aurelius !!!
He’s more of a Commodus without the bottle !!!
He will die peacefully in his mansion surrounded by his loved ones, while us and ours will die in this Russian roulette with nukes that he’s promoting.
This Norwegian beaut looks like an idiot, talks like an idiot but don’t let that fool you, he really is an idiot.
Make peace you imbeciles. ♾️❤️☮️
And you appear to have named yourself Aurelius? I would very much like to know what you have done to make you worthy of such as name?
Make peace with who exactly?
Russian trolls came here too, preaching peace and love while Putin invades sovereign countries. Aurelkovich, Rutte is Dutch, Stoltenberg is Norwegian. Update your trolling database quick!
Now, let’s get these quickly defending UK skies, plus any additional systems we need to procure. The biggest hidden factor from the British public is the hopeless homeland air defences, which must be addressed immediately.
Spot on 👍
Agree. It was something I repeatedly stated in my submission to the SDSR consultation. That and enough MPA, ASW assets and frigates.
Our entire focus should be a resolute home defence supported by a powerful airforce and navy.
Army only needs to be able to contribute towards NATO alliance commitments so 75-80,000 professional troops is fine (small uptick in numbers) as long as we can ramp up via reserves/ TA and training to an army of +150,000 within 12 months if needed.
SDSR has to focus on key areas and deliver what we need to defeat known threats
Agree with all of this. So simply put, I’m surprised the huge numbers employed in main building can’t see it
This slim Sky Sabre resource is not for defending UK skies. They are for defending deployed British Army units.
Army are quite keen on the UK-Polish project for something with longer ranges.
In spite of how much better Sky Sabre was than Rapier.
Maybe a mix of CAMM/CAMM-MR might be useful as on RN ships?
The Army has already intimated a number of times of including a longer ranged CAMM. They have yet to say if this is the ER or the MR version or possibly a mix of all three.
Can’t believe I read that! Not ignoring naval and sub threat, what about the Air launched missiles, from bear, and those supersonic things the tu 22, and Su 34 was a maritime strike aircraft when first proposed Estimated combat range of tu 22 is 2500 km with 10,000 kg load Bear, does fly to Cuba….. I hope you are not making any key decisions! Sorry to flame you, but imagine what might happen if that line was quoted and someone did not have subject matter experts.? Please there’s alot said here, I think people have to be cautious about what… Read more »
Was that reply to Graham Moore?
What he said re Sky Sabre is correct. 16 RA exist, alongside 12RA, to provide air defence for the Field Army.
Yes, the UK does indeed need home GBAD, these are not currently it.
Maurice, Our UK National Air Defences seem to consist of 4 x QRA Typhoons at very short notice, augmented by other Typhoons at lower notice, plus a politician’s promise that at least one T45 would/could/might be stationed in home waters with radars turning and burning, and missiles ready to launch. Plus a number of F-35Bs which could be despatched from wherever they happen to be at the time (at RAF Marham and/or on a carrier located in or close to home waters. The army’s small number of Sky Sabres are of course intended only for AD protection of a deployed… Read more »
I would say that drones are not a problem. As the Banshee is the normally target of choice during exercises. It has a very, very low radar cross section (RCS). That requires radar augmentation to increase its RCS. It compares very favorably with the larger suicide and loitering drones. The smaller FPV quadcopters drones would be a complete waste of resources of a CAAM. Better to uses the ship’s automated guns. As you know the published target requirements will be different for the actual operational requirements. Does this include an anti-ballistic missile capability? Possibly. Would they send a T23 to… Read more »
Air defence is the biggest scandal for uk , prioritising above the lack of frigate destroyers me reckons
How about news on getting some CAMM-MR for UK bases, ports and other sites in the UK? And additional boxer/mobile shorad for the Army? It’s all got a bit of “we can’t be bothered” feel about it. We’ll our allies on the continent seem to be very bothered!. CAMM-MR, SAMP/T, NASAM’s, Patriot, and others. Time to shop? Lets hope stuff doesn’t fly over the proverbial fence any time soon and that all critical ports, bases are well protected. If not, you may end up having considerably less to fight back with.
GBAD is only part of the problem, there is no longer any civil defence plan or structure. No reserve, huge gaps in sovereign core capabilities vis-a-vis manufacturing. Insufficient submarine, surface & drone fleets. Critical gaps in equipment including MORPHEUS which although DE&S have spent £860 Million with GD the army has nothing to show for it. Then there is the fact that service manpower is declining at a startling rate – spending £500Million with private companies obviously failing dismally. The entire British Army wouldn’t fill Wembly! Arsenal depth far too low. Oh and as an aside service accommodation that is… Read more »