Poland’s national carrier LOT will keep three aircraft on permanent standby for EU rescue and medical missions under a new deal signed with the State Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS).
LOT Polish Airlines announced that it had signed an agreement with the Government Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS) to carry out air transport and medical MEDEVAC operations under the EU’s rescEU program, an instrument of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), established by the European Commission to provide rapid and coordinated assistance in emergencies, ranging from natural disasters to health threats and humanitarian crises, on Monday, July 7, 2025, .
RARS did not explicitly link the move to concerns that the Kremlin may be preparing for further aggression in Europe, where tensions have remained high since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
However, the situation has prompted many EU countries to assess and strengthen their emergency readiness in case the conflict extends beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Recently, KLM and the Dutch Ministry of Defense, signed an agreement for allocation of KLM pilots who, among other roles, wish to serve as reservists on the F35the fighter jet of the Dutch air force.
The rescEU instrument provides for the creation of a European reserve of resources, such as an evacuation fleet, field hospitals, and medical supplies, which can be deployed as a last resort when the scale of an emergency exceeds the response capacities of EU Member States. Unlike other components of rescEU, Poland, uniquely among EU countries, serves as the host nation for a dedicated air capability.
As part of a project implemented by the Government Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS) on behalf of the European Commission, Poland has committed to maintaining three aircraft on standby: two multipurpose aircraft (capable of transporting at least 65 passengers and/or 19 tons of cargo), and one specially acquired aircraft dedicated to MEDEVAC operations.
The medical aircraft, provided by LOT Polish Airlines, will be capable of transporting at least 16 patients on stretchers or six patients in intensive care. Operations can be carried out without refueling stops over medium-range distances, covering Europe and neighboring regions.
Under the agreement, the national carrier will remain on 24/7 standby to carry out air operations commissioned by the European Commission. Each MEDEVAC mission will be coordinated in collaboration with RARS’s specialized Coordination Team and a designated medical team.
Dorota Dmuchowska, Chief Operating Officer and Management Board Member at LOT Polish Airlines, said:
“The execution of air operations commissioned by the European Commission under the rescEU program confirms the strategic role of LOT Polish Airlines as the national carrier, which not only connects Poland with Europe and the world, but also, thanks to its excellent crew and operational preparedness, proves itself in emergency situations.”
Jan Rajchel, President of the Government Strategic Reserves Agency, said:
“As the Government Strategic Reserves Agency, we play a key role in the national security system, and our involvement in the EU’s rescEU mechanism is a prime example of that. We are currently implementing a range of projects within this framework, significantly strengthening both national and European crisis response capabilities."
"Establishing direct cooperation with LOT Polish Airlines is a major step forward for us—it increases our operational capacity, shortens response times, and enhances the effectiveness of our actions. We are also proud that two strategic Polish entities are working together in the service of public safety and European solidarity.”
LOT Polish Airlines said in its statement,
LOT’s participation in the rescEU project reinforces its position as a trusted partner for national and European institutions in operations of critical importance for civil protection and humanitarian aid.
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