Aircraft

The Polish army will deploy four refurbished Mil Mi-17-1V transports (pictured below) and four Mi-24V assault helicopters to Afghanistan in late June or early July to support NATO operations, with the former airframes having been accepted in mid-March after modification at the WZL-1 Military Aviation Works in Lodz.

Poland's Bumar Group received a late 2006 order to prepare seven Mi-17-1Vs for donation to Iraq, but when Baghdad purchased new airframes Warsaw opted to expand its army fleet of six Mi-17s.

© Bartosz Glowacki

The newly accepted aircraft feature infrared engine suppressers, IR countermeasures equipment and flare dispensers, plus cockpit and underfloor armour and the provision for four machine guns. Its three other aircraft will receive the same modifications.