Poland’s first domestically produced AW149 helicopter made with Italian cooperation conducts maiden flight
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On April 14, 2025, the first AW149 helicopter entirely manufactured at PZL-Świdnik for the Polish Armed Forces completed its maiden flight in Świdnik. This flight was conducted as part of the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP), which verifies the helicopter’s compliance with the contracted design configuration. Additional test flights are scheduled to follow in line with established procedures and production timelines. The helicopter was produced entirely in Poland at PZL-Świdnik and incorporates contemporary technology and design methods introduced in the 21st century. According to PZL-Świdnik, this marks a scheduled step in the development of the facility’s domestic helicopter manufacturing capability and a milestone in the broader Polish aviation production network.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Approximately 20 out of the 32 AW149s will be assembled in Poland, to reduce the country’s dependence on Soviet-era helicopters such as the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-24, and SH-2G, which are currently in service with an average fleet age exceeding 30 years. (Picture source: Agencja Uzbrojenia)
The contract for the procurement of 32 AW149 multi-role helicopters for the Polish military was signed in Świdnik on July 1, 2022. Less than a year later, the first helicopter for Poland was assembled at Leonardo’s facility in Vergiate, Italy. This initial production was carried out to meet urgent operational needs and to ensure contractual obligations were fulfilled under conditions shaped by the regional security situation. It also allowed Polish PZL-Świdnik personnel to begin on-site training at Leonardo’s production lines. From the first helicopter delivered under the contract, employees of PZL-Świdnik were involved in the manufacturing process.
The agreement, worth approximately $1.85 billion (€1.76 billion), stipulates that production of the AW149 for the Polish Armed Forces will take place in Poland. The contract includes technology transfer and the establishment of domestic production, maintenance, and support infrastructure. The local assembly line for the AW149 was officially opened at PZL-Świdnik in 2024. This facility manages system integration, armament installation, modernization, and maintenance throughout the service life of the helicopters. Based on publicly available estimates, approximately 20 out of the 32 helicopters will be assembled at PZL-Świdnik. Leonardo’s industrial activity in Poland also includes the assembly of four AW101 helicopters for the Polish Navy at the same facility. These developments are part of Poland’s broader effort to reduce its dependence on Soviet-era platforms such as the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-24, and SH-2G, which are currently in service with an average fleet age exceeding 30 years.
The decision to procure the AW149 is related to the Perkoz program, which aims to modernize the rotary-wing fleet by replacing older Mi-2 and W-3 Sokół helicopters. The original Perkoz plan called for 32 multi-role helicopters in three configurations: combat support, command, and reconnaissance/electronic warfare. A technical dialogue involving 12 manufacturers was initiated but suspended in March 2021. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Poland issued an urgent operational requirement that resulted in the signing of the AW149 contract in July 2022. The helicopters are planned for use primarily by the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, with roles including transport, combat support, and reconnaissance.
Previous procurement efforts had included the 2015 selection of the Airbus H225M Caracal, which was later cancelled. Poland subsequently acquired a limited number of Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters for special operations forces. The AW149 had been proposed in earlier tenders but was selected following an evaluation of operational requirements and domestic production capabilities. The current contract includes a provision for localized production and support, contributing to the continued development of the Polish aerospace sector at PZL-Świdnik.
Powered either by two General Electric CT7-2E1 engines or by two Safran Aneto-1K engines, the AW149 can reach a maximum speed of 313 km/h, an operational range of 844 km, and a service ceiling of 4,600 meters. (Picture source: Agencja Uzbrojenia)
The AW149 is a military helicopter developed by Leonardo as a derivative of the civilian AW139 platform. Its development began in 2006, and its first flight occurred in 2009. The aircraft features structural reinforcements for military use and a modular configuration adaptable to various mission types. The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 8,600 kilograms, a fuselage length of 17.6 meters, and a main rotor diameter of 14.6 meters. It is powered either by two General Electric CT7-2E1 engines or by two Safran Aneto-1K engines. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 313 km/h, an operational range of 844 km, and a service ceiling of 4,600 meters. It is capable of transporting up to 19 passengers or 16 soldiers in full gear. In its standard military configuration, it accommodates 12 soldiers and two gunners.
Poland’s AW149s are expected to be equipped with observation and targeting systems, countermeasure suites, and multiple weapon configurations. The helicopters will include two 7.92 mm machine guns mounted internally. They can also be fitted with both guided and unguided rockets and air-to-ground missiles of a similar class to the Hellfire. Weapons can be installed either within the cabin or mounted externally, depending on mission requirements. To support the armament integration, Poland has secured 800 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles, which are intended to be used with the AW149 fleet.
According to Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, the AW149 contract reflects coordinated efforts by Italian and Polish teams, efficient performance of the supply chain, and collaboration with the Polish military as the end user. He stated that the combination of these factors enabled the training phase to begin on schedule and suggested that similar cooperative approaches could be applied to future Polish helicopter programs. Jacek Libucha, President of PZL-Świdnik, stated that the April 14, 2025, test flight represents a scheduled production milestone for the facility. He described the test as a planned stage in a long-anticipated project and outlined future steps, including further production, flight testing, servicing, and potentially modernization or system integration depending on future Polish Armed Forces requirements. He added that PZL-Świdnik has the existing capacity to conduct these activities.
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On April 14, 2025, the first AW149 helicopter entirely manufactured at PZL-Świdnik for the Polish Armed Forces completed its maiden flight in Świdnik. This flight was conducted as part of the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP), which verifies the helicopter’s compliance with the contracted design configuration. Additional test flights are scheduled to follow in line with established procedures and production timelines. The helicopter was produced entirely in Poland at PZL-Świdnik and incorporates contemporary technology and design methods introduced in the 21st century. According to PZL-Świdnik, this marks a scheduled step in the development of the facility’s domestic helicopter manufacturing capability and a milestone in the broader Polish aviation production network.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Approximately 20 out of the 32 AW149s will be assembled in Poland, to reduce the country’s dependence on Soviet-era helicopters such as the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-24, and SH-2G, which are currently in service with an average fleet age exceeding 30 years. (Picture source: Agencja Uzbrojenia)
The contract for the procurement of 32 AW149 multi-role helicopters for the Polish military was signed in Świdnik on July 1, 2022. Less than a year later, the first helicopter for Poland was assembled at Leonardo’s facility in Vergiate, Italy. This initial production was carried out to meet urgent operational needs and to ensure contractual obligations were fulfilled under conditions shaped by the regional security situation. It also allowed Polish PZL-Świdnik personnel to begin on-site training at Leonardo’s production lines. From the first helicopter delivered under the contract, employees of PZL-Świdnik were involved in the manufacturing process.
The agreement, worth approximately $1.85 billion (€1.76 billion), stipulates that production of the AW149 for the Polish Armed Forces will take place in Poland. The contract includes technology transfer and the establishment of domestic production, maintenance, and support infrastructure. The local assembly line for the AW149 was officially opened at PZL-Świdnik in 2024. This facility manages system integration, armament installation, modernization, and maintenance throughout the service life of the helicopters. Based on publicly available estimates, approximately 20 out of the 32 helicopters will be assembled at PZL-Świdnik. Leonardo’s industrial activity in Poland also includes the assembly of four AW101 helicopters for the Polish Navy at the same facility. These developments are part of Poland’s broader effort to reduce its dependence on Soviet-era platforms such as the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-24, and SH-2G, which are currently in service with an average fleet age exceeding 30 years.
The decision to procure the AW149 is related to the Perkoz program, which aims to modernize the rotary-wing fleet by replacing older Mi-2 and W-3 Sokół helicopters. The original Perkoz plan called for 32 multi-role helicopters in three configurations: combat support, command, and reconnaissance/electronic warfare. A technical dialogue involving 12 manufacturers was initiated but suspended in March 2021. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Poland issued an urgent operational requirement that resulted in the signing of the AW149 contract in July 2022. The helicopters are planned for use primarily by the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, with roles including transport, combat support, and reconnaissance.
Previous procurement efforts had included the 2015 selection of the Airbus H225M Caracal, which was later cancelled. Poland subsequently acquired a limited number of Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters for special operations forces. The AW149 had been proposed in earlier tenders but was selected following an evaluation of operational requirements and domestic production capabilities. The current contract includes a provision for localized production and support, contributing to the continued development of the Polish aerospace sector at PZL-Świdnik.
Powered either by two General Electric CT7-2E1 engines or by two Safran Aneto-1K engines, the AW149 can reach a maximum speed of 313 km/h, an operational range of 844 km, and a service ceiling of 4,600 meters. (Picture source: Agencja Uzbrojenia)
The AW149 is a military helicopter developed by Leonardo as a derivative of the civilian AW139 platform. Its development began in 2006, and its first flight occurred in 2009. The aircraft features structural reinforcements for military use and a modular configuration adaptable to various mission types. The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 8,600 kilograms, a fuselage length of 17.6 meters, and a main rotor diameter of 14.6 meters. It is powered either by two General Electric CT7-2E1 engines or by two Safran Aneto-1K engines. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 313 km/h, an operational range of 844 km, and a service ceiling of 4,600 meters. It is capable of transporting up to 19 passengers or 16 soldiers in full gear. In its standard military configuration, it accommodates 12 soldiers and two gunners.
Poland’s AW149s are expected to be equipped with observation and targeting systems, countermeasure suites, and multiple weapon configurations. The helicopters will include two 7.92 mm machine guns mounted internally. They can also be fitted with both guided and unguided rockets and air-to-ground missiles of a similar class to the Hellfire. Weapons can be installed either within the cabin or mounted externally, depending on mission requirements. To support the armament integration, Poland has secured 800 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles, which are intended to be used with the AW149 fleet.
According to Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, the AW149 contract reflects coordinated efforts by Italian and Polish teams, efficient performance of the supply chain, and collaboration with the Polish military as the end user. He stated that the combination of these factors enabled the training phase to begin on schedule and suggested that similar cooperative approaches could be applied to future Polish helicopter programs. Jacek Libucha, President of PZL-Świdnik, stated that the April 14, 2025, test flight represents a scheduled production milestone for the facility. He described the test as a planned stage in a long-anticipated project and outlined future steps, including further production, flight testing, servicing, and potentially modernization or system integration depending on future Polish Armed Forces requirements. He added that PZL-Świdnik has the existing capacity to conduct these activities.
