Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/773724
As a reminder, in April 2015, the Ministry of Defense announced that during the tender for the purchase of a fleet of multi-role helicopters based on a common platform,the best offer was submitted by Airbus Helicopters and Heli Invest consortium (offering H225M Caracal). The offers by Agusta Westland and PZL Świdnik (AW149) and PZL Mielec (S-70i Black Hawk International and S-70B Seahawk) were rejected. According to the plan, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland would procure 16 utility helicopters, eight ASW, five MEDEVAC, eight special operations forces support thirteen in CSAR version. What is more, a significant element of the program would be the purchase of a rich training and logistics support package. This procurement would enable withdrawing Mil Mi-14PL (NATO code: Haze), Mi-14PL/R, and the oldest Mi-8 (NATO code: Hip) helicopters from use. There was a plan to replace Mi-17 remaining in service during the next procurement program that would be conducted in the first half of the next decade. An initial contract was signed just before the change of the Polish government, which gave rise to offset negotiations that were to open the door for finalization of the contract. From the very beginning, the above choice was criticized by current Polish Minister of National Defense Mr. Macierewicz and the whole government – despite that, offset negotiations were conducted according to the planned schedule. During subsequent years, we had witnessed quite a large media confusion and inconsistent messages. On 10th October, during the visit to the plant PZL Mielec (owned by the Lockheed Martin, Macierewicz announced that the 7.EDS (7th Special Operations Squadron) would receive S-70i Black Hawk International before the end of On 4 October, the Ministry of Development canceled their negotiations with Airbus concerning an offset agreement for the purchase of 50 helicopters H225M Caracal for the Polish army. Photo: Łukasz Pacholski www.fragoutmag.com