Poland is moving to bolster the security of its vital transport networks by granting its Railway Security Guard (SOK) new authority to neutralise unmanned aircraft. According to a government draft amendment to the Railway Transport Act, prepared by the Infrastructure Ministry and published by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, the SOK will be equipped with devices capable of disabling or destroying drones that threaten railway infrastructure.
This legislative shift aims to align the powers of railway guards with those of other national security services. Beyond the capacity to use anti-drone technology, the draft would expand the circumstances under which guards may use firearms, specifically allowing for the destruction or disabling of drones in scenarios covered by aviation law. Additionally, the proposal would broaden the guards' operational reach, granting them the power to record interventions and pursue suspects across private land.
The Polish government stated that these measures are necessary to adapt to contemporary threats against national critical infrastructure. This initiative follows a period of heightened security anxiety regarding Poland’s rail network, particularly after sabotage incidents that occurred last November. During that time, explosives damaged a section of track near Mika, while separate sabotage near Pulawy involved damage to overhead infrastructure and the placement of a metal clamp on the tracks, which authorities described as an attempt to derail a train. Prime Minister Donald Tusk identified two Ukrainian nationals working with Russian intelligence as the individuals responsible for these attacks, categorising them as some of the most severe acts of sabotage since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The government's focus on drone threats also stems from a parliamentary inquiry in July, which highlighted concerns regarding unauthorised drone flights near sensitive railway sites. The inquiry questioned the existing limitations on police and security services when responding to unmanned aircraft near strategically significant facilities. These legislative changes occur as Warsaw continues to warn that Russian cyber operations, sabotage, and other hybrid activities represent a direct threat to both Poland and the broader NATO alliance.
