The jets have been defined as “small”, being capable of carrying 12 to 14 passengers. Their range, without a stopover, is not to be shorter than 5000 kilometres. The Agreement is also going to include the initial logistics package, along with a training bundle for the crews and for the ground crews.
Until 17th July, offers which met the requirements of the procedure were submitted by the following companies:
1. Bombardier (Canada)
2. Dassault Aviation (France)
3. Embraer (Brazil)
4. Field Aviation Company Inc. (Canada)
5. GB Aircraft Sp. z o.o. (Poland)
6. General Aviation Services (USA)
7. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (USA)
8. Megmar Logistics & Consulting Sp. z o.o. (Poland)
9. The Jet Business International Corporation (UK)
Five leaders of the global VIP jets market, along with four companies offering rental or sales services regarding the used jets, are all willing to take part in the tender.
The procedure is going to consider acquisition of the new aircraft, however purchasing second-hand airframes is also being taken into account. The Armament Inspectorate assures that selection of the contractor and conclusion of the agreement are going to be finalized this year. Deliveries are expected in 2016.
Acquisition of the VIP jets constitutes an element of the national security plan, adopted in 2014. Currently, Polish official use a chartering agreement signed with the PLL LOT Polish Airlines, for the period between 2014 and 2017. Within the scope of the agreement above, Embraer 175 jets are being used to carry out VIP flights. The Armament Inspectorate notes that acquisition of two “small” jets is going to “complement the existing VIP transport system”. In fact, the new aircraft are going to replace the ageing Yak-40 jets which were withdrawn from service shortly after the Smolensk crash.