Italy and Poland: The Strategic Alliance for a Stronger European Defence
In the course of Defence 24 Days in Warsaw, Poland lifted the veil on a threat that is growing every day: Russia's increasingly direct and sophisticated actions against its security. The Polish minister of digitalisation, Krzysztof Gawkowski, issued a warning: "Russia's main target in NATO is Poland". This is not just a strategic warning, but a call to arms, as in 2024 the Russian intelligence services have intensified their attacks against the country, doubling their operations, with as many as 600,000 direct cyber attacks.
These attacks are not only concerned with cybersecurity but also include the destabilisation of critical infrastructure such as aqueducts, railways and power plants. The use of techniques such as jamming the GPS signal in the Baltic Sea has become routine, testifying to a hybrid war that is now being fought in every corner of cyberspace. Furthermore, Russia is trying to undermine Poland's internal stability by interfering in the upcoming parliamentary elections through the spread of disinformation and manipulation of social media. For the first time, Russia has even offered money to Polish citizens to spread fake news, an attack on democracy that Minister Gawkowski called a betrayal of the state.
Poland's Answer: Cyber Defence and Artificial Intelligence
In response to these threats, Poland reacted with an ambitious defence plan, both on a technological and human level. Poland, in fact, is implementing one of the most advanced cyber defence apparatuses in the world. Gawkowski emphasised the importance of cooperation between the armed forces, civil services and public institutions to counter hacker attacks. The Joint Cybersecurity Centre has become a central pillar of this defence.
But Poland does not stop there. The war of the future will not only be fought by traditional means but also by artificial intelligence, Poland is investing heavily in the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Implementation Centre (Cisi)which will help prepare its army for conflict in cyberspace. Along with AI technologies, Poland is also developing systems based on quantum technology and is preparing to build an entirely Polish quantum computer, which will further strengthen its cyber defence.
The Italy-Poland Axis: A Stronger and United Europe
Poland is not alone in this battle. During the Defence 24 Daysthe Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence, Hon. Matteo Perego di Cremnago, met with the Polish Secretary of State for Defence, Pawel Bejda, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. This meeting highlighted the importance of NATO's Eastern Flank, a crucial region for the stability of the entire European continent. Perego emphasised how Italy and Poland, through a joint commitment, can contribute to creating a solid and effective European defence, capable of responding to global challenges.
Italy, for example, has actively participated in Air Policing operations with NATO's Eurofighters and F-35s, thereby strengthening security in Eastern Europe. Bilateral alliances, such as the one between Italy and Poland, have become essential for a common defence that overcomes threats from cyberspace and disinformation. Only a united Europe will be able to counter modern challenges and guarantee the freedom and sovereignty of its member states.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
