Airbus Refutes Polish Media's Allegations On Caracal Helicopter Tender

The CEO of Airbus Helicopters has released a statement Tuesday refuting “misleading allegations” in the Polish media about the tender which was scrapped by the Polish government.

According to the open letter published by Airbus directed to the Polish prime minister, the decision to break off the “offset negotiation process for 50 Airbus Helicopters H225M was made unilaterally by the Polish Ministry of Development on 4 October”.

“It is our belief that Polish citizens and the Polish armed forces deserve full transparency on the tender process in which Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Group have been fully committed over the last four years,” the letter read. “The Poland Ministry stated that the decision was made because Airbus Helicopters’ offset proposal allegedly did not meet the essential security interests of Poland”.

The letter has disclosed some of the details of the offset negotiations, including The French firm’s agreement on providing compensation to Poland the gross value of the tender – PLN 13.4 bln (EUR 3.2 bln).

In April 2015, Poland selected Airbus Helicopters’ offer for the modernization of its multirole helicopter fleet. This proposal encompassed both the deliveries of H225M Caracal helicopters and the associated offset offer (industrial activity in Poland). Airbus Helicopters was chosen as the sole offer fully compliant with the demanding Ministry of Defence requirements, including the transfer of high-level technology deemed essential to guarantee the essential security of interests in Poland.