Transformation of Polish Air Forces - What Is Required to Meet NATO Obligations (Paperback)

After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, Poland started a major revision of its security and defense thinking. The main goal for Polish security established in the "Security Policy and Defense Strategy of the Republic of Poland" of 1992 was clearly identified to be "Poland is striving towards NATO membership." The eight-year Polish effort to gain acceptance to join NATO finally succeeded on March 12, 1999. It fulfilled many years of preparation and searching for a new security environment. Despite the fact that some of the changes were done before entering NATO, Poland still needs to complete its integration with the NATO Alliance. Poland still possesses equipment and a command structure reflecting its former Warsaw Pact alliance requirements. This paper will attempt to focus on the transformation of the Polish Air Force and requirements, which must be accomplished to obtain NATO membership. Poland should accelerate these efforts to attain full NATO compatibility and interoperability. The purpose of the paper is to define areas in which Poland should concentrate its efforts to meet NATO obligations.