Anaconda 2010 military exercise by Poland’s armed forces has begun on the Baltic Sea.
More than 7,000 soldiers and nearly 1,000 units of equipment, including: 25 aircraft, 23 helicopters, 16 warships, a submarine, over 120 tanks and infantry vehicles have been deployed in the exercise, the Defence Ministry has announced.
Monday morning, several warships left the ports in Gdynia and Swinoujscie to start a defence operation against the enemy’s fleet.
The exercise scenario involves a growing local armed conflict with territorial claims between imaginary states of Wislandia and Monda allied with Bari. Although such states do not exist, their location resembles that of Poland and Russia and Belarus.
“The main goal of the exercise is to check the readiness of the Polish Armed Forces to defend the country in case of the threat,” said the commander of the exercise Gen. Edward Gruszka. During the exercise Polish warships will practice how to protect sea lanes, destroy submarines, respond to sea and air attacks and prevent a sea blockade. The state border protection and maintaining integrity will be the main effort of the exercise.
The exercise Anaconda 2010 – named after a snake that feeds off aquatic life forms - ends a six-year cycle of Polish training forces interoperability, will last until 6 October.
Russia was heavily criticized earlier this year for exercises, also in the Baltic Sea, simulating the amphibious invasion of Poland. (mg)