First AW-149 Helicopters Delivered to Poland

Poland’s Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak oversaw the handover of the first batch of AW-149 helicopters to the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade on October 30 in Nowy Glinnik.

The AW-149 helicopters were selected as part of the Perkoz multi-role support helicopter program, with a contract signed in July 2022 to deliver a total of 32 of these machines to the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade.

Minister Błaszczak highlighted the significance of this milestone, "We signed the agreements last year in July at PZL Świdnik. These helicopters are also the future for PZL Świdnik. By co-producing these helicopters, this plant will strengthen the potential related to arms production in our country. I would like to thank the Italian partners for their close cooperation. Thanks to this cooperation, it is strengthened Polish Army. In a very short time, we have ensured that the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade has development prospects. The first helicopters are being equipped with this brigade, we have trained ground crews and pilots."

The AW-149 is a multi-role helicopter produced by Leonardo designed for tasks such as transport, battlefield support, and rescue missions. It is an enlarged version of the AW-139, specifically configured to meet the needs of the Polish Armed Forces. The helicopters are equipped with advanced observation systems, small arms, guided Hellfire anti-tank missiles, unguided missiles, and self-defense systems. These helicopters will play a crucial role in transporting soldiers and providing air support to military units.

The 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, named after Prince Józefa Poniatowski, is a highly maneuverable tactical formation of the Polish Land Forces. With bases in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Nowy Glinnik, and Leźnica Wielka, the brigade operates on both land and in the air, enabling rapid deployment to various locations. The brigade's soldiers have gained valuable combat experience through their participation in missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Chad.