Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1150145
The contract award is grand de finale of one of two rapid procurement programs launched by Polish MOD after the fiasco of 50 Airbus H225M Caracal procurement cancelled in 2016. The "rapid" procurement procedure was launched in 2016, but the contract was awarded ultimately in 2019. On 27th March 2017, the Armament Inspectorate of Polish MOD announced that initial offers were submitted by Airbus Helicopters SAS with Heli Invest and WSK PZL Swidnik SA (owned by Leonardo). Experts were surprised with lack of third bidder, Sikorsky from United States. Procurement program details are kept confidential, but it can be taken for granted that Poland wanted to purchase re- placement for fleet of old Mi-14s of 44.Naval Air Base, which are quickly reaching their life-span. Current maintenances will allow to keep Mi-14s in service until the new helicopters will be delivered. The curious fact highlighted by many experts was the multi- role configuration of the helicopters. According to the require- ments, Poland was requesting ASW helicopters with CSAR equipment modules to support eight W-3WARM Anakonda SAR helicopters currently used over the Baltic Sea by Polish Navy. Will that solution justify itself? Time will show, but past experiences with Mi-14PL ASW helicopter converted to Mi- 14PX SAR version in 1990 were unsatisfactory. Mi-14PX had additional searchlights, FMR-2432 radio and ARK-U2 radio compass. The cargo bay wasn't modified at all so the SAR capabilities of the helicopters are limited. Some of the ASW mission equipment was left onboard of Mi-14PX hence the helicopter could carry less of rescue equipment. The base ASW helicopter had narrower cargo bay doors than SAR ones and boarding of survivors was definitely not easy task. All in all, the Mi-14PX became training helicopter and in November 1990 another Mi-14PS SAR helicopter was pur- chased. The Mi-14PX with S/N 1003 was re-converted to Mi- 14PL ASW version during overhaul in 1995-1996. After couple of months after the March announcement, Airbus Helicopters retracted its offer and the official rea- son were off-set requirements undefined by MOD, which were crucial to prepare the final bid. Leonardo and WSK PZL Swidnik became the only interested party and their final bid was placed on 30th November 2018 with AW101 helicopter as an answer to Polish requirements. www.fragoutmag.com