TSAMTO, March 3. The company PZL- Swidnik, owned by the Italian Leonardo group, presented the first multi-purpose helicopter AW-149 produced in Poland.
As previously reported by CAMTO, on July 1, 2022, the Armaments Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defense concluded a contract worth 8.25 billion with PZL-Swidnik (a division of the Leonardo Group). zloty (1.76 billion euro) for the supply of 32 AW-149 helicopters, training complexes, as well as logistics and training packages. The logistics package includes spare parts and consumables, as well as helicopter ground handling equipment. The training package includes comprehensive training of pilots and technical personnel, as well as the supply of a set of modern simulators and training equipment. Deliveries are expected to be completed in 2023-2029.
PZL-Swidnik opened a production line for the AW-149 assembly for the Polish Armed Forces on June 4, 2024 in the presence of representatives from Leonardo, PZL-Swidnik and partner companies.
The new helicopters are designed to carry out the tasks of transporting troops, as well as supplying units by air. The AW-149 equipment will also allow them to be used for evacuation, conducting search and rescue operations in combat conditions, and transporting cargo and supplies.
The first two vehicles were transferred to the 7th Aviation Division (Novy-Glinnik) of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade on October 30, 2023, and the delivery ceremony for the third multi-purpose helicopter took place on December 15, 2023. Currently, five cars have been received from the Leonardo assembly plant in Vergata (Italy).
The first AW-149s were produced in Vergata (Italy), where Polish specialists were trained.
According to the Leonardo Group, PZL-Swidnik uses its unique industrial advantages in terms of supply pace and flexibility to meet tight deadlines and emergency requirements, taking into account geopolitical realities.
The AW-149 program of the Polish Ministry of National Defense is based on the localization of production at the facilities of PZL-Swidnik, which is a strategic decision by Warsaw to ensure both national security and key industrial advantages. The contract signed in 2022 also includes the integration of helicopter systems, specialized weapons, future upgrades and technical support throughout the life cycle of the AW-149 fleet. Thanks to local production, Poland will receive not only the latest helicopters, but also its own logistics and technical base located on the eastern border of NATO.
The maximum take-off weight of the AW-149 is 8,300 kg, with the possibility of increasing to 8,600 kg. The maximum speed is 313 km/h, cruising speed is 287 km/h. The crew consists of 2 people, but the main tasks can be performed by one pilot. The maximum flight range is 958 km, and the maximum flight duration is 4 hours and 55 minutes. The AW-149 can carry 19 passengers.
The helicopters will be delivered in a configuration that meets the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces and will be equipped with surveillance systems, small arms, guided and unguided missiles, and self-defense systems. Armament, depending on the helicopter's use case, can be installed in the cockpit or on external suspension units.
