Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1150145
In February 2019, one of AW101 purchased by Norway (but at that times still owned by Leonardo) spent couple of days in 43. Naval Air Base in Gdynia, Poland were some tests with Polish aviation personnel were conducted. The positive out- come of this stage allowed to step up the procurement pro- cess. On 9th April 2019 Leonardo and Polish MOD signed off-set agreement of approx. value 95M Euro which included nine off-set obligations in three areas such as: Ä Set up of licensed helicopters support center in WZL 1 pant which would be responsible for management and co- ordination of maintenance, servicing and repairs of ASW/ CSAR helicopters with interactive digital technical publica- tion and manufacturer support for 10 years. Ä Organizational Level and Intermediate Level technical maintenance Ä Depot Level acoustic system maintenance, signal sys- tem and sonobuoys maintenance. Ä Paint applying and removal know-how and technology. Ä Helicopter balancing know-how and technology. According to declarations, the Swidnik plant will also gain competences in SAR and medical equipment attachment systems design and AW101 interior furnishing which will be manufactured in Poland. The off-set agreement led to sign the contract for helicopters for 1.65M PLN value (approx. 388 million Euro). Officially, the prime contractor is the WSK PZL Swidnik located in Poland, but most of the works will be completed in Yeovill plant were the final assembly line of AW101 is located. Helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2022. Together with recent- ly purchased four S-70i Black Hawks, the AW101 are first Western-made helicopters of Polish Armed Forces. (UN)NECESSARY SECRETS OF MOD Following the latest "tradition" of Polish MOD, the details of the contract are classified. Military did not disclose the ulti- mate placement of helicopters or even if there will be more www.fragoutmag.com