The ceremony of handing over the first Polish AW-149 took place at the military airport in Nowy Glinnik, near Tomaszów Mazowiecki. The helicopter was assigned to the squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade.
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The machine was manufactured at PZL-Świdnik, which belongs to the Italian concern Leonardo. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the AW-149 is a technologically advanced multi-role helicopter, which is being developed in cooperation with Italian partners.. He mentioned that the first 10 machines were delivered from Italy, but the next 22 units, including the eleventh unit delivered, will be produced in Poland.
The Minister of National Defense emphasized that the helicopter has a wide range of applications, from supporting combat operations, through rescue and evacuation missions, to transporting goods and landing. The machine's equipment includes state-of-the-art observation and communication systems and weapons, such as machine guns, guided and unguided missiles, as well as anti-drone weapons.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the implementation of this contract proves the need for continuous modernization of military equipment, which requires a long-term approach.
The president of PZL-Świdnik, Bartosz Śliwa, announced that the first machine was delivered 15 months after signing the contract, and within 20 months the plant reached full production capacity. Śliwa emphasized that the company has created a full technological infrastructure for the production and testing of helicopters, and has also hired new employees who have undergone training at the Italian plant in Vergiate. According to the president, PZL-Świdnik and the Polish industry are fully prepared to support the Polish army.
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According to the schedule, deliveries of AW-149 helicopters to the Polish Armed Forces are scheduled to end in 2029. Currently, the 7th Aviation Squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade has 11 machines, and by the end of the year this number will increase to 14.
The AW-149 helicopter is capable of carrying out day and night missions, including transport, combat support, rescue and command operations. The configuration of the machines fully meets the requirements of the Polish army, which makes them an important element of the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces.
