Published: 12/12/1997

The Air Defence part of the Air Force is undergoing a process of restructuring. Since 1990, when the service had two divisions, two brigades and a single regiment, much has changed. Today it has been scaled down to two brigades and just a single regiment. The conversion is based on the German and Danish model. Weaponry has also been intensively modernised. During the early-1990s, defence was based on five types of weapons, nicknamed: Woloch, Newa, Krug, Wega and Strzala. Though all systems have been in service for a considerable time, there is scope for upgrading the models. Newa, the short distance missile is undergoing some of these changes. New electronic systems are being installed, leading to greater manoeuvrability and allows crew reduction. Highly effective against low flying objects, the Krug systems are to be withdrawn from operations between 2003-2007. It is likely to be replaced by the Patriot systems. The long distance Wegas are likely to be used to protect airspace over dedicated regions of the country. With a range of up to 250km they are capable of covering a large part of the country and can be used to bring down ballistic missiles. The Woloch system is already outdated and have been scrapped since the early-1990s, with final withdrawal from front line operations between 2002 -2004. They will be replaced by the new Loara system which is currently going through prototyping. Considerable investments have to be made to conform to changes imposed by entering NATO.(DF1297.8) (MM)

Article ID: 113