Poland upgrades emergency sirens after missile scare

Poland is accelerating the modernization of its nationwide emergency siren system following a recent incident where a stray missile entered the country's airspace. The event exposed shortcomings in the early warning network, prompting authorities to address the issues.

In Lublin, six out of 48 sirens required repairs as of late July. The city is slated to receive 60 new sirens by 2026 as part of a broader national plan. The national government oversees the integrated warning system, with regional governors coordinating its expansion. The government plans to purchase hundreds of new sirens with modern control systems by 2026.

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We realize that when it comes to the early warning and alerting system, not everything worked as it should have.

Other cities are also upgrading their systems. Białystok received 26 new electronic sirens this year, bringing its total to 99. The region's system, comprising 376 devices, will see further upgrades by 2027. Kraków is procuring approximately 190 modern sirens, with the first installations expected this year and completion in 2027. Warsaw plans to install 36 new sirens between 2025 and 2026, adding to its existing 209 electronic sirens.

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We will shorten the reaction time by transferring some decisions regarding the activation of the alarm to the regional level. We will also increase the number of sirens – by 200 units by the end of this year.