Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on 1 July that Poland has signed a contract worth 8.25 billion złotys ($1.83 billion) to purchase 32 multi-role AW149 helicopters from Italian defence company Leonardo.
The AW149 helicopters will be built by Leonardo’s Polish unit PZL Swidnik, and the contract includes logistics, training and simulator packages.
The helicopters’ configuration will also include observation systems, small arms, guided/unguided rockets and missiles and self-defence systems.
Leonardo said in a statement that they would be delivered between 2023 and 2029.
Poland is expected to take delivery of the first batch of AW149 helicopters next year, “which matters in the context of the international situation of the Russian aggression in Ukraine,” said Mariusz Blaszczak when signing the contract at Leonardo’s production site in southeast Poland.
“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,” Leonardo Chief Executive Alessandro Profumo said in the statement.
