Leonardo sells 32 AW149 helicopters to Polish Armed Forces

The contract, signed between the Polish Ministry of Defense and the firm PZL-Świdnik (owned by Leonardo) for the supply of 32 AW149 multirole helicopters was announced today and is valued at €1.76 billion.

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Leonardo reports that, in addition, the contract includes logistics, training and simulator packages.

The logistics package includes a stock of spare and consumable parts, as well as equipment for ground support of the helicopters. The training and simulator package includes comprehensive training of pilots and technical personnel and delivery of a set of advanced simulators and training equipment. The new helicopters will perform missions including troop transport and air support.

The equipment of the helicopters will also allow them to be used for casualty evacuation, search and rescue in combat operations and for the transport of goods and supplies. The helicopters’ configuration, fully meeting the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces, will also include, among others, observation systems, small arms, guided/unguided rockets and missiles and self-defence systems. The armament, depending on the helicopter variant and configuration, can be installed in the cabin or on the helicopter’s external hard points. The deliveries of the helicopters will be made in the 2023-2029 period.

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Acting as prime contractor, PZL-Świdnik will host a local production line for these new helicopters. Leonardo will therefore make further investments in its Polish facilities in addition to the approximately €1 billion already invested since 2010, which has significantly strengthened PZL-Świdnik’s competitiveness and industrial capabilities. This is a major contribution to the Polish aerospace and defense industry, which will enable domestic production, the establishment of a logistics base and full technical support for the Polish Ministry of Defense’s AW149s, in line with Leonardo and PZL-Świdnik’s commitment to deliver industrial benefits to Poland.

For more AW149 news, see also: Puma replacement: UK officially launches NMH competition

The AW149 is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose military helicopter designed from the ground up to meet the most demanding needs of the armed forces. The platform can be reconfigured to perform a wide variety of demanding tasks in the harshest operating conditions. The AW149’s advanced equipment, armament and systems technologies, combined with its agility, range/endurance and high power margins, and the highest levels of safety and survivability, provide defense users with high operational availability, mission effectiveness and fleet cost efficiency.

Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, said: “The contract signed today is a continuation of the fulfillment of our promises to Poland regarding Leonardo’s commitment to the development of the local helicopter plants and the Polish supply chain to the benefit of Polish industry. By strengthening our position in the strategic Polish market, as a supplier of modern defence technology, we are proud to contribute to the constant increase of the security of the Polish nation, and to strengthen the industrial capabilities which are fundamental to the country’s resilience and sovereignty.”

Jacek Libucha, President of PZL-Świdnik said: “With complete capabilities in helicopter design, development, customisation and servicing, PZL-Świdnik confirms its leadership and the continuation of its 70-year heritage through the setting of key milestones for our aviation industry. I know PZL-Świdnik’s helicopters and their great capabilities well as a former military officer with experience in country and abroad. Being today on the industrial side of this experience, serving the present and future generation of soldiers as a manufacturer, I have an even greater sense of fulfillment of my duties. I am convinced that the AW149 will meet the Armed Forces’ high-end needs.