The government intends to spend 1billion zloty (up to 300 mln euro) on new equipment for Polish troops based in Afghanistan.  

The so-called Afghan Package includes five new helicopters, 60 MRAP vehicles and two mid-range unmanned surveillance planes. Polish soldiers are to have a total of 11 helicopters at their disposal, says Deputy head of the General Staff, General Mieczysław Stachowiak.

"The programme provides for the purchase of a minimum of five helicopters, The exact number of more acquisitions will depend on the price and the offer; The five helicopters will most probably be MI-17," he said. 

Yesterday, Defence Minister Bogdan Klich presented to the government a list of purchases for the Polish contingent in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Donald Tusk after his visit to the base in Ghazni on Saturday concluded that more equipment was needed. The government adopted changes in procedures to allow the equipment to be bought immediately.  

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Klich has requested a meeting with President Lech Kaczyński to discuss critical comments made by the head of the Land Forces, General Waldemar Skrzypczak, following the top soldier's controversial interview for Dziennik, in which he said that ministry's red tape, delayed and misguided equipment provisions for the Polish contingent in Afghanistan were costing lives. He claims this may have led to the death of Captain Daniel Ambrozinski, who perished in a Taliban attack last week. 

Defence Minister Bogdan Klich said he wanted to speak on the general with the Polish president “as soon as possible.” 

The funeral of Captain Ambroziński, killed in Afghanistan last week, was held yesterday. (ab/pg)