Poland has already set up two NSM squadrons on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Kownacki told local daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna that the Defence Ministry is considering the acquisition of more missiles from the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA) for an additional squadron.
He noted, however, that the squadron would not be effective until certain issues were solved, such as Poland's insufficient reconnaissance capability.
"This is a significant issue. Such a squadron has a strike range of about 200 [kilometers], but our radars have a range that is considerably shorter," he stressed, adding that the problem could likely be solved by more efficient use of drones, and in the future, through merging the NSM with the Wisla medium-range air defense system.
The minister also said there were plans to order the delivery of three additional submarines for the Polish Navy late next year. The vessels will most likely be purchased jointly with another ally, possibly Norway, he said. By uniting with another state, Poland can cut costs, and "the profitability of establishing maintenance and service capacities" will be higher.
Poland prompted a modernization program of its military after Russia's reunification with the Crimean Peninsula caused great concern among NATO members in Eastern Europe.
