Poland purchases medical supplies from China to fight Covid-19
The Polish government has purchased 73t of medical supplies from China to fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates
Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.
The Polish Government has purchased 73t of medical supplies from China to fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The supplies including 14 million masks, 300,000 protective suits and a machine to make masks were delivered by an AN-124 cargo aircraft.
This is the second mission that the Armed Forces of Poland have undertaken as part of the Nato-supported Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS).
SALIS provides participating Nato allies with access to heavy transport aircraft for airlifts and cargo movement.
Earlier this month, the Polish Government purchased medical supplies that included 190,000 masks and 180,000 protective suits.
Currently, nine countries are participating in the SALIS programme, managed by the Nato Support and Procurement Agency. These include Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Following the sudden outbreak of Covid-19, a total of seven SALIS missions have been conducted to transport urgent medical supplies.
On the same day, another military aircraft airlifted medical supplies including masks, suits and diagnostic kits to Sofia, Bulgaria, from China.
Transported in C-17 Globemaster aircraft, the flight was made possible by the Nato-supported Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC).
The SAC programme continues to support ten Nato allies and two partner countries. Together, the countries jointly own and operate three C-17 heavy cargo aircraft, sharing flying hours and costs.
The C-17 fleet is based at Papa airbase in Hungary.