Israeli countermeasures for Polish VIP aircraft ?

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The polish official VIP aircraft may be equipped with the Israeli developed protection systems against shoulder launched missiles.

According to Defense 24, the Polish armament Inspectorate has started a selection process aimed at acquiring 2 jets that would be used to transport the VIP personal working for the government. The range of the jets is not to be smaller than 5,000 km. The deliveries are expected to happen in 2016.

According to the Inspectorate’s press release, a public procurement procedure was started. Next, negotiations with the bidders are planned, and finally submission of the final offers would be requested.

The aircraft to be acquired are defined as “small”. They shall be capable of transporting 12-14 passengers. Their continental range is not to be smaller than 5,000 km. The agreement is also to cover the initial logistics bundle and training program for the crews and the ground crews.

The Armament Inspectorate claims that selecting the supplier and signing the agreement is to take place this year. Getting second-hand aircraft is also being considered as a viable option here. The deliveries are going to be realized in 2016.

Currently, VIP transport is performed by LOT Polish Airlines chartered Embraer 175 jets.

The threat of shoulder launched missiles has grown considerably over the last few years. Elbit Systems Electro-optics Elop’s C-MUSIC systems are a family of DIRCM (Directed IR Countermeasures) solutions for protecting aircraft against heat seeking ground to air missiles.

According to the Israeli Company, these systems integrate advanced fibre laser technology together with a high rate thermal camera and a small, highly dynamic mirror turret to provide effective, reliable and affordable protection to all types of aircraft and under all operational conditions.