The Polish Border Guard Service has announced the arrival of two additional L-410UVP-E20 turboprop aircraft, which will now operate in the country’s border surveillance missions and in the protection of the European Union’s external frontier.
The information was released on the agency’s official social media channels.
US$ 28 million contract and bidding dispute
The newly delivered aircraft are part of a contract valued at PLN 109.8 million (approximately USD 28 million). The procurement process faced a challenge after the initial bidding round, which had been won by the consortium Parasnake Arkadiusz Szewczyk and Airborne Technologies GmbH, offering the M28 model for PLN 109.2 million.
However, a complaint submitted to the National Appeals Chamber pointed out technical flaws in the documentation of the winning proposal. The court then decided to reject the offer and reevaluate only the bids that met all the requirements. In the end, three of the seven proposals remained in the competition, and JB Investments Sp. z o.o. was selected to supply the Czech-made L-410 aircraft.
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Capabilities and equipment of the L-410UVP-E20
The new aircraft are equipped with radar for detecting objects on land and at sea, an electro-optical system with a range of up to 15 km, satellite communications, and rescue equipment — essential resources for patrol missions and surveillance operations.
Originally developed by the Czechoslovak company Let Kunovice, the L-410 Turbolet made its first flight in 1969 and has since undergone multiple upgrades. The version acquired by Poland can operate with Walter M601E or GE H80-200 engines, increasing its versatility in varied conditions.
Operational history and incidents
This is not the first time the Polish Border Guard has received L-410 aircraft. Previous deliveries occurred in 2020 and December 2024.
In 2023, an incident involving the platform gained international attention: a Russian Su-35 fighter jet attempted to intercept a Polish L-410 during the Western Black Sea MMO 2023 mission while the aircraft was performing patrol duties.
Photo: Facebook @STRAZGRANICZNA | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
