On September 17, the dynamic show "Autumn Fire 23" took place in Bemowo Piskie. For the very first time, everyone was able to see with their own eyes, recently purchased, modern equipment and armaments.

Addressing the security situation and the need to modernize and expand the Polish Armed Forces, the head of the Ministry of Defense recalled that things have not always been this way, and the effects of the liquidation of military units are still visible today.

Before 2015, the real defense of our country was to be on the Vistula. This is the document that was approved by Minister Klich in 2011. At that time, the real defense of Poland was to be on the Vistula River. Moreover, Poland was to be defended for 2 weeks, then it was hoped that we would be protected by allied troops. Ladies and gentlemen, in 1939 we were alone. Now, we are in the strongest alliance in the world. We are proud to be in NATO, but no one will shoulder the duty of defending our country for us. The Polish military must be strong enough to defend every bit of Polish soil. And so it is. In the place where the PO-PSL coalition liquidated military units we are reconstituting those units

- said the head of the Ministry of Defense.

The head of the Ministry of Defense reminded that military units in eastern Poland were liquidated, while today they are being reconstituted and also new ones are being created.

Since Poland was supposed to defend itself on the line of the Vistula River, they liquidated military units in the Warmian-Masurian province, Podlasie, Mazovia or Lublin provinces.We are bringing these units back to life. Moreover, we are also forming military units in other towns and cities east of the Vistula River. Why? To defend every piece of the Polish soil. To, figuratively speaking, close the Brest gate.

- emphasized the head of the Ministry of Defense.

Encouraging Poles to see the Polish Military's skills and the new equipment, the head of the Ministry of Defense pointed out the consistent and dynamic modernization process.

During the display at the training ground in Bemowo Piskie, state-of-the-art military equipment purchased in recent years was put into action. The audience had the opportunity to see, among others, Abrams and K2 tanks, HIMARS launchers, HIBNERYT anti-aircraft set, POPRAD anti-missile set, KRAB and K9 cannon howitzers, combat vehicles of various types, such as ROSOMAK wheeled carrier, BORSUK or ŻMIJA long-range reconnaissance vehicle, LRR and Talon specialized robots and FlyEye unmanned aerial vehicles.

Today we can marvel at modern equipment, modern weapons of the Polish Armed Forces. Weapons that we have acquired through the implementation of arms contracts already since 2015: American Abrams tanks, but already with Polish crews, of course, Korean K2 tanks also with Polish crews, HIMARS rocket artillery, also with Polish crews. Ladies and gentlemen, we have restored a brigade of rocket troops, after a 18-year break. We restored so that the Polish Army would be strong, so that it could effectively deter an aggressor. But among the equipment we will be able to admire today are also Wolverines, or wheeled armored personnel carriers. There are modern weapons, also a products of the Polish arms industry. There are Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, also Krab cannon howitzers, Korean K9 cannon howitzers. And a whole range of equipment, to show the firepower of the equipment at the disposal of the Polish soldiers. But we also want to demonstrate the high skills of our soldiers, who train, who practice in cooperation with allied troops.  I am very pleased with the presence of the United States soldiers. I am very thankful for the fact that on a daily basis Polish soldiers train with American soldiers

- said the head of the Ministry of Defense.

Concluding, the minister appealed to everyone to respect and be grateful to our soldiers who guard our security, guard our borders.

I ask you to always stand as a wall behind the Polish uniform. It is incredibly significant. Today, certain celebrities associated with the opposition attack Polish soldiers, attack border guards. Ladies and gentlemen, we stand behind the Polish uniform. Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and Border Guard officers take care of our security. We were right to warn against Russian imperialism. This was said by the late President Lech Kaczynski in Tbilisi already in 2008, while the largest number of Polish military units were dismantled by the PO-PSL coalition in 2011. We were also right when we decided to build a barrier on the border with Belarus, and we were right when we said that it was necessary to protect the borders of the Republic of Poland. We knew that the hybrid attack originated in the Kremlin, that the idea of this attack originated in the Kremlin. This attack preempted Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin wanted to cut off Ukraine, to occupy Ukraine all the more swiftly. We did not allow this to happen. (...)The battle that was fought on the border in mid-November 2021 was won by our soldiers, they defended the borders. (...)Therefore, I ask you once again - let's stand as a wall behind the Polish uniform, and I guarantee you that we will strengthen the Polish Armed Forces in numbers, we will equip them with modern weapons in order to keep Poland safe

- noted the head of the Ministry of Defense.
The "Autumn Fire 23 "exercise involved, among others, artillerymen, special units and air cavalry. Krakow paratroopers landed from CASA aircraft. A total of about 70 different pieces of military equipment - including aircraft, tanks, rocket launchers and other artillery equipment - were seen as part of the exercise and static program.

GALLERY-->>Jesienny Ogień 23