Defence Minister Bogdan Klich has announced that the government will promptly buy or lease new aircraft for state officials.

“Two aircrafts will be chartered or leased from LOT Polish Airlines,” said Klich. The minister hopes that after the tragic plane crash in Smolensk on no one will object buying new craft for the highest state officials.  

Last year, the government planned to buy three or four new planes for politicians and the tender for the new fleet was prepared by the Ministry of National Defence. However, because of the difficult situation with the state budget the purchase was cancelled. Later, the Defence Ministry decided to buy two second-hand, two or three-years-old aircraft with a limited fuel capacity, instead of new VIP planes. The decision was criticized by a group of MPs and finally abandoned.  

Poland’s VIP air fleet currently includes two Tu-154 and four Yak-40. The 36 Special Aviation Regiment, which serves Polish top officials, also owns three utility aircrafts M28 Skytruck and eleven helicopters. (mg)