Frag Out! Magazine

tely resulted in separate procurement processes. The LPR (Polish HEMS) pro- cured a major quantity of EC135s, while the Armed Forces were left behind, with another procurement process at hand. In 2009 a procurement procedure was launched, regarding 26 helicopters. 16 of them were to replace the legacy Army Mi-8s, while the remainder were to be as- signed to the Navy (7), and the Air Force (SAR, 3 examples). This was a symbolic quantity. The next iteration of procure- ment efforts, launched in 2013, was to re- sult in the acquisition of 70 aircraft, inclu- ding 48 transport helicopters, 12 aircraft for the Navy (ASW/SAR), and 10 SAR he- licopters for the Air Force. Here, the final selection, when it comes to the type was made. Among three bids: AW149, S-70i, and EC725 Caracal; the Caracal became the winner. Furthermore, the final procu- rement plan assumed that the number of procured helicopters would go down to 50: 16 transport helicopters for the Air Cavalry, and 14 for the Navy. More spe- ket niche and specialize in that niche, playing games as such is pointless. Given the emergence of these factors, the only viable option was to procure he- licopters abroad. Initially, that concerned just single examples. In 1990, before the Pope's visit, a single Bell 412 was procu- red for the 36th Regiment (with another example on loan). The Ministry of Inter- nal Affairs received two Bell 206s, on the very same occasion. More Western-ma- de helicopters were introduced along with the OHP Frigates acquired by the Navy - that statement refers to four SH- -2G Seasprites. Given the fact that the military helicopter fleet, and fleets operated by other state users, were getting old, attempts were being made to procure new rotary-wing assets. The so-called National Helicopter Program was launched in 2006. Its goal was to procure new aircraft for the Ar- med Forces, and for HEMS as well. Even though common helicopter procurement is beneficial logistics-wise, this ultima- cialist variants became a part of the mix. The 7th Special Operations Squadron would receive 8 SOF-support helicopters, the Army would receive five MEDEVAC helicopters, and the mix was to be finali- zed with 7 CSAR helicopters. That procu- rement process had one advantage - the intent was to procure a single platform that would handle different mission sets. This would, in essence, translate into huge benefits in the area of logistics and training. We will discuss this matter fur- ther, below. The helicopters were to be acquired with a big set of training and logistical assets, with a maintenance center expected to be established in Łódź. Furthermore, the agreement also included the right to up- grade, along with a guarantee of a fixed price of spares for a term of 3 decades. That tender was aimed at finding a re- placement for the Mi-8, a medium-sized multi-role helicopter, and the specialized variants. Had it been successful, a heli- copter of similar size would be procured, www.fragoutmag.com

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