Czechs to send helicopter unit to Poland to support anti-drone defence after Russian incursions

The Czech Republic is sending a unit of helicopters and a group of up to 150 military personnel to its northern neighbour Poland to support its air defences in the wake of this week’s violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.

“Poland is our close and reliable ally,” said Czech defence minister Jana Černochová, after speaking with her Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. “It is important that the help comes quickly and that we show Russia our unity. We are ready to send the unit within a matter of days.”

The chief of the general staff of the Polish armed forces, Wiesław Kukuła, thanked the Czechs for sending “some of the best pilots in the world and some of the best SOF [special operations force] helicopters”.

The Czech defence ministry said that the aircraft “will help the Polish army with protecting the country from drones at low altitudes”.

On the night from Tuesday to Wednesday this week, around 20 Russian drones entered Poland’s airspace, with some being shot down by Polish and allied forces – the first time such an action has been mounted by NATO forces on the alliance’s own territory.

The Czech chief of general staff, Karel Řehka, said that the helicopter unit will be deployed “for up to three months”, accompanied by up to 150 personnel, with the precise number depending on circumstances and needs.

The same unit was previously deployed to Poland last year to help the country deal with the catastrophic effects of major flooding last year as well as to support a NATO mission strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank.

Under Czech law, the deployment of its armed forces abroad requires parliamentary approval. But in 2024, parliament approved a mandate – running up to 2026 – allowing up to 2,000 personnel to be deployed to stregthen NATO’s eastern flank in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Today, the Czech speaker of parliament, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, visited Warsaw to meet with her Polish counterpart, Szymon Hołownia. She expressed Prague’s solidarity and willingness to support Poland.

“Yesterday it was Poland, tomorrow it could be the Czech Republic,” said Pekarová Adamová. “That’s why we must act to prevent such attacks from happening again.”

“Russia wants to test our unity through these attacks, and therefore we must demonstrate beyond doubt that NATO countries are united,” added Hołownia.

On Thursday, after the threat of the Russian drones had been neutralised, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Poland’s intention to trigger Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which can be used when a member state believes its “territorial integrity, political independence or security…is threatened”.

The process launches a consultation process within NATO, which can then lead to the alliance taking action. NATO’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, as well as leaders of many member states, have publicly and vocally condemned Russia’s actions.

Tusk, however, made clear on Wednesday that Poland expects not just declarations of solidarity but also “significantly greater support” in defending its airspace given Russia’s unprecedented actions.

Last month, before Russia’s drone incursions, the Netherlands announced that it would deploy two of its Patriot air defence systems and 300 military personnel to Poland as part of efforts to “protect NATO, defend Ukraine and deter Russia”.