Message from Vice-Admiral Andrzej Karweta, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Navy

I wish all the exhibitors of the 10th Baltic Military Fairs BALT-MILITARY-EXPO 2008 fulfillment of their expectations connected with the participation in the Fair and invite to join the Polish Navy modernization effort.     Vice-Admiral Andrzej KARWETA Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Navy                              Ladies and Gentlemen!   The Polish Navy is on the eve of the full professionalization, which means professional personnel and professional equipment.   The modernization of the Polish Navy will require involvement of scientific institutes, maritime schools and research-and-development centers, and above all, shipbuilding industry, producers of maritime defense technology, armament and ship equipment, communication and computer companies, as well as, providers of equipment enhancing the effectiveness of operations  and  safety  at  sea  and  on land. I think that Polish technical thought should play an important role in the process.   The Polish Navy modernization will be consistent with national and allied military doctrine. It will be aimed at providing the Polish Navy with capabilities to protect Polish maritime zones and sea lines of communication, to conduct mine warfare and to face potential asymmetric threats. The Polish Navy should have a potential allowing for participation in allied maritime operations. The core elements of the Polish Navy renewal are construction of new and modernization of existing ships, modernization of naval air assets, expanding missile potential and development of mine warfare systems, and command, communication and control systems.   We count on support of the defense industry in the process of modernization. Particularly meaningful for the Polish Navy modernization is currently full armament of Orkan class missile ships, construction of Gawron class corvette and Kormoran II class mine hunters program.   Meanwhile the modernization of ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki will expand her capabilities and make her a mine forces command ship to be used both nationally and within allied ship groups.   I am convinced that manufacturers of naval equipment will find in Poland an interesting and receptive market.   I wish all the exhibitors of the 10th Baltic Military Fairs BALT-MILITARY-EXPO 2008 fulfillment of their expectations connected with the participation in the Fair and invite to join the Polish Navy modernization effort.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Vice-Admiral Andrzej KARWETA Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Navy