A major Anakonda-23 military exercise started in Poland

3 May, 2023 Anakonda-18 exercises. Illustrative photo A major Anakonda-23 military exercise started on the territory of Poland.

13 thousand military personnel will participate in the exercises. There are over 12,000 Polish participants and several hundred representatives of allied countries, and the training will last until May 26. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Poland reports that the military equipment of Poland and its partners will be moving on roads throughout the country.

Residents of Poland are urged not to publish information regarding the movement and dislocation of the military.

Military of Poland. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Poland

"Do not report the places, dates, and times of military convoys. Any ill-advised action online, especially considering the current geopolitical situation in the world, and information about important military objects, systems, and devices can have negative consequences for the security and defense systems," the statement reads.

The military will focus on defense and deterrence measures in the Baltic Sea region. Training is divided into several stages. The key part will take place in mid-April.

After that, the military will be sent to training grounds in Drawsko Pomorskie, Orzysz, Ustka, and Nowa Deba. The logistic build-up will take place between May 6 and 16. Representatives of the USA, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Turkey are participating in the Anakonda-23 exercises and the coordinated Defender-23 and Aurora 23 exercises, which will take place outside Poland.

Abrams tanks, Krabs, and K9 self-propelled howitzers, as well as Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles will be used during the exercises.

KRAB self-propelled howitzer by the Polish Huta Stalowa Wola enterprise. Company photo

It is emphasized that the training scenario was prepared in such a way that it should utmostly resemble the real situation. It fits into the dynamics of current threats associated with NATO's eastern flank.

Since 2006, the exercises have evolved from purely national exercises to exercises with the active participation of NATO member states and other partners.

Since 2018, training is held once every three years.

They have only a defensive nature, and their preparation began in 2021.