Poland’s defence ministry is to issue a tender for 26 helicopters as part of a continued modernization of the armed forces.
The delivery of the new equipment is to be carried out within the framework of a national helicopter programme set out for the next eight years. Deputy minister of defence, says undersecretary of state for Armament and modernisation Marcin Idzik:
"The programme stipulates the acquisition of 26 helicopters by 2018, and is the first stage of developing the Polish army's air transport capacity," he told Polish Radio.
The choppers will be issued to special military forces, the navy and land forces, and will be used for combat and transport.
Two of the new acquisitions, Mi-17 helicopters, will go to the Polish contingent in Afghanistan by the end of the year.
The purchased helicopters are not new, as the serial production of Mi-17s ended in 1993, Marcin Idzik explains. Initially, the ministry considered buying brand new equipment yet abandoned the idea due to the one and a half year long delivery time. (ab)
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