200 million for the borders

New vehicles of the Border Guard. Mitsubishi have delivered 74 Pajero 5D’s in February. / Photo: Border Guard

During 2014 the modernisation has cost nearly 200 million zlotys, and most of the purchases were made with the EU External Borders Fund.

New aircraft

Four mini class unmanned aerial vehicles for observation and reconnaissance over land are the latest and most modern addition. These are equipped with opto-electronic systems that allow day-and-night all-weather observation, including thermal imaging. Real-time image is transferred to the control post. The UAVs will be used by Border Guard troops protecting the external EU border. The cost of purchase and of training officers to operate the equipment has amounted to over 6 million zlotys.

Border Guard aviation will be reinforced with two Stemme ES-15 aircraft. These OPV (Optional Piloted Vehicle) machines can operate as manned or unmanned aircraft, depending on the equipment. The Border Guard has purchased the manned version, but they can be customized into the unmanned one, and this option is being considered by the Border Guard. The aircraft are very economical and can remain airborne for up to 10 hours when fully refuelled. They work very quietly and can operate at different altitudes. The range of their cameras allows much more effective observation than the systems in operation so far. Final decision as to their location is pending.

Towers…

Towers with observation systems have been used since 2009 on the external border of the EU, that is the border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Another twelve will be delivered this year. They will strengthen the protection of both the Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian sections of Poland’s border. The maritime section of the external border is protected by nineteen towers of the ZSRN (Integrated Radar Surveillance System).

They are up to 50 m high, and the installed equipment allows effective observation in all weather conditions. The system also allows very precise distance measurement.

…and automotive vehicles

Officers serving in the field are gradually replacing their worn-out Land Rovers with Mitsubishi Pajero off-road vehicles. The new seven-seat vehicles have four-wheel drive, with modern design and equipment. Not only do they provide optimum operation in service, necessary safety and mobility, but also high comfort level. They were purchased in a version marked and equipped with priority vehicle signals. They are powered by a 3200 cc diesel engine with a power rating of 147 kW (approx. 200 hp) that meets latest emission level requirements. They are fitted with two front airbags and four side curtains, anti-lock braking system, track stability control, and additional devices for high off-road mobility and adequate comfort. These include, among others, the ability to lock drive systems, a 4,500 kg pull force winch with necessary accessories, means of communication compatible with existing radio-telephones, as well as air conditioning and parking heating, which operates independently of the engine operation.

The purchase implements the project EBF-12-3143 Equipping Border Guard units with means of transport and it was funded under the funds from the External Borders Fund - Annual Programme 2013. The total value amounts to nearly 12.5 million zlotys. The troops at the external border of the Republic of Poland will also be equipped with a 40 ATV vehicles this year.

In addition to the equipment, an effective and efficient performance of tasks is allowed by ICT systems available, as built by the Border Guard. During 2014-2015 modern systems were introduced, which both facilitate the planning, organising and co-ordination of services and support the process of border checks and border traffic control. They also provide much broader analytical capabilities for the data collected.