: Poland will upgrade its Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter fleet. The 49th and 56th Combat Helicopter Regiments will each get 18 upgraded Hinds, while a new Combat Search and Rescue unit will be formed in 2004 to use another four. Three older Hinds will be discarded or used for training. The $195 million program will include:

@ Upgraded NATO-compatible communications

@ all-weather day-or-night avionics

@ conversion to fire a new anti-tank guided missile, which will be the one selected as the new standard missile for the entire Polish Army.

Poland also plans to buy 12 new attack helicopters (either AH-1W or AH-1Z Super Cobras or Italian Mangustas) for delivery by 2006 and more new attack helicopters for delivery in 2012.--Stephen V Cole