A military helicopter airbase will be built in the city of Świdnik in Poland's Lublin Voivodeship, about 90 kilometres from the border with Ukraine, on an area of 100 hectares, the Polish Ministry of Defence has said.
A letter of intent was signed between the Ministry of National Defence, the city of Lublin, the Lublin Voivodeship and Lublin Airport.
"It is extremely important that the Polish Armed Forces are present in eastern Poland. Ensuring security is the reason for the statehood of the Republic of Poland. Feeling safe and truly secure is our challenge. We are doing everything we can to make every Polish citizen feel safe," said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland.
It is noted that the airbase will house helicopters of the Land Forces, which Poland will modernise and purchase, as well as pilot training.
The Polish Defence Ministry said that the creation of this airbase would significantly strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
"There should be a permanent presence of allied troops here, but our army should also invest in these territories. Today we are strengthening this security and defence potential," the ministry said.