Poland Shortlists Three Bidders For Helicopter Order

The Polish MoD is planning to purchase 70 helicopters under a contract which is expected to be settled by next year.

The ministry is hoping for the first deliveries to begin in the year 2016.

The Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in 2012 the last model should be purchased by 2022, and Poland expects to pay 7-9 billion zloty for the entire commission (1.6 - 2.1 billion euro.)

The MoD Tomasz Siemoniak has already specified that Poland will favour companies that can carry out the project on Polish soil, and where possible, using Polish components.

According to reports, Sikorsky is believed to be the front-runner, since it already manufactures aircraft in Mielec, south east Poland.

Another possibility is the Eurocopter Group and it has already stated that it could make the aircraft in Poland.
Italian-British AgustaWestland is also a candidate. The company is already active in Swidnik, eastern Poland.

However, its new AW139 helicopter has not been tested to the same degree as potential rival bidders' models.

The helicopters will be used for transporting troops and providing airborne support to soldiers on the ground.