WARSAW, Poland — The Polish Ministry of Defence has initiated the tender to acquire new maritime patrol aircraft for the country's armed forces. The ministry said it has issued a request for information from potential suppliers.

The ministry's Armament Inspectorate is awaiting potential offers from aircraft producers until May 31, 2017, according to the statement.

Under the plan, the new aircraft will replace Poland's M28 Bryza and M28B Bryza planes, which are upgraded variants of the Soviet-designed Antonov An-28 aircraft. The procurement is to be carried out under a program designed to "increase the capacities to perform comprehensive naval reconnaissance, and combat submarines and vessels," the MoD said. 

"Following a detailed market analysis, the following will be drafted: a feasibility study, and the initial tactical-technical requirements. Depending on the established needs, the [Armament Inspectorate] recognizes the possibility to carry out a technical dialog [with potential aircraft suppliers]," the statement said. 

The amount and value of the planned purchase were not disclosed.

The new aircraft are to be deployed to the Polish military's 44th Kaszuby-Darlowo air base, located in the country's northern Pomerania region, in close proximity of the Polish Baltic Sea.

The M28 Bryza and M28B Bryza are produced by Polish aircraft plant PZL Mielec, which is owned by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky.

Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.

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