US opens new airbase in Poland as tensions simmer with Russia

On November 13, the United States officially opened a new air defence base in northern Poland, located in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast.

The base, part of a broader NATO missile defence shield, symbolizes Poland's strengthened security ties with the US, particularly as Russia continues its war in neighbouring Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Polish President Andrzej Duda attended the opening ceremony and emphasized the significance of the base, stating that it reinforced Poland’s security as a NATO member.

“The United States is the guarantor of Poland's security,” Duda affirmed. He also highlighted that the permanent presence of US troops at the base reaffirmed that Poland was firmly outside Russia's sphere of influence, a notable shift after decades of Soviet control before Poland's transition to democracy in 1989.

The base in Redzikowo, which has been under development since the 2000s, is part of NATO's "Aegis Ashore" missile defence system. This system is designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Other components of the shield are located in Romania, Spain, and Türkiye. Despite Moscow's objections—labeling the base as a threat to Russia—the defence system in Poland is currently configured to counter missiles from the Middle East, not Russia, though a policy shift could change that.

The opening of the base comes at a time when some NATO members are uneasy about the implications of US President Donald Trump’s stance on defence spending. Trump has previously expressed concerns over NATO countries not contributing enough to defence. However, Poland has reassured its allies, emphasizing its strong defence budget relative to its economic size and its close ties with Trump, who has been a supporter of Poland's defence initiatives.

Military experts have indicated that while the base strengthens Poland's defence capabilities, further expansion of the NATO missile shield may be required to address threats from Russia. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested that discussions with NATO and the US will be necessary to determine the next steps for the shield.

By Khagan Isayev