The Interior Ministry procured Leonardo AW 189 helicopter with equipment and pilot training included at more than €13 million in a direct purchase without any tender. According to the contract, published in the Central Registry of the Public Procurement Office (UVO), the rapid procurement of at least one helicopter was necessary to maintain the capacity of its air service to carry out essential tasks. It was the weekly newspaper Plus 7 Dni website that broke the news. The ministry cited the war in Ukraine as an extraordinary event that warranted the direct procurement, adding that helicopter maintenance is not optimal and the sanctions against Russia complicate the maintenance of its Mi-171 helicopters. The helicopters are employed by police, firefighters and rescuers. At the moment, the ministry has at its disposal two Mi-171s and one Bell 429 chopper.
Source: TASR
