Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak is in Pomerania today to observe military exercises near Słupsk, including a test-firing of Poland’s „Mała Narew” new-generation short-range air defense system.

The Mała Narew (Small Narew) system combines the UK-produced Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) weaponry with its iLauncher missile launchers.

The paired system creates a multi-channel solution, meaning that each CAMM missile can be assigned to track and combat a different air threat, allowing a full battery to target up to 24 different air threats simultaneously.

Poland placed a PLN 1.65 billion (EUR 371 million) order for the CAMM weapons with defense contractor MBDA as an „urgent requirement” in April of last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Polish government plans to sue the CAMMs to equip additional batteries of the US-made Patriot missile systems, which currently make up the medium-range layer of Poland’s air defense.

Today is day 483 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Source: Polskie Radio

International representatives of the Artemis Accords have been meeting in Gdańsk to discuss collaboration on future space projects, such as NASA’s Artemis program to explore the Moon and Mars.

During the three-day meeting in Gdańsk, space experts from 15 of the 25 signature countries, including the US and Brazil, held discussions in two main working groups. Grzegorz Wrochna, CEO of the Polish space agency POLSA, told reporters it was „a big honor” for Poland to „organize such a key event.”

The Artemis Accords, he explained, are designed to deepen international cooperation in space exploration, notably in NASA’s Artemis program to return humans to the Moon „and establish the first long-term human-robotic presence on and around the Moon.”

According to Wrochna, Poland’s space industry can provide the Artemis Program with the scientific instruments, measuring apparatus, AI-powered robotics, and steering elements necessary to effectively explore, secure, and process lunar resources for constructing bases on the Moon.

POLSA officials are hopeful that such collaboration could give rise to „a new Moon mining industry,” which could become a new Polish specialty.

Source: Polskie Radio, polsa.gov.pl

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued a second-degree warning for severe thunderstorms with hail and heavy rains across Pomerania from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. today.

Thunderstorms and hail may be accompanied by strong winds, with gusts up to 75 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall in some areas. Localized downpours are predicted to dump as much as 50 liters of water per square meter in some areas.

Firefighters are urging people to stay indoors during the thunderstorm and not leave cars parked under or around trees. Items that can be blown away by the high winds should also be removed from balconies and other outdoor spaces.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Poland’s national football team lost 2-3 to Moldova last night in Chișinău in their third Euro 2024 qualifier, leaving fans jittery about their chances of qualifying for the European tournament next year.

Things started out well after Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik put Poland up 1-0 a mere 12 minutes into the game at Zimbru Stadium in the Moldovan capital. He was followed shortly after by team captain Robert Lewandowski with another goal from outside the box 22 minutes later.

The second half, however, was where the trouble began. Ion Nicolaescu started the Moldovan rally straight away with a goal for Moldova in the 48th minute, catching up to the White and Reds to even up the match at 2-2 in the 79th. Vladislav Baboglo set the final score at 3-2 for the home team with a header in the 85th minute.

The match was an upset for the visiting Polish team, who are currently ranked 23rd in the worldwide FIFA tables, while Moldova sits at No. 171. The loss places Poland fourth in their qualifying Group E, just ahead of the Faroe Islands, whom they are set to face on September 7th.

Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will start off partly cloudy, with a chance for storms and rain showers throughout the afternoon and strong winds coming in fro the southeast. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with high humidity and a daytime high of 28°C or 83°F, dropping to a low of 17°C or 63°F overnight. Slightly cooler weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for some rain returning on Friday.

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Elizabeth Peck/MarWer