Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/840553
In April 2014, the Armaments Inspectorate and WSK PZL Świdnik S.A. signed two agreements concerning modernization and reduilding of the W-3 Sokół/Anakonda owned by the Polish Navy. The tender for 7.6 million USD was to cover a two-year (2014–2016) "upgrade" of the transport W-3T to the W-3WA variant, which included almost the same equipment as W-3WARM Anakonda (three W-3WARM of delivered between 1992-1993 were selected). The main difference between the two versions is that the W-3WA does not feature inflatable floats – but the W-3WA helicopters are still allowed to conduct SAR operations over the Baltic Sea. The program is the first of the two aimed at maintaining the potential of the Polish Navy at the desired level in the years to come. On 7 December 2016, the second program was launched, for upgrade of three helicopters supplied in the 1998–2002 – they are to be equipped like the other five. The scope of the planned works includes standardization of the pilot's cabin, installation of a FADEC digital system of controlling engine performance, installation of an AIS and surveillance equipment. The rescue equipment will be also upgraded – new baskets, ropes, stretchers, and a respirator. In December 2016, PZL Świdnik S.A. received the first helicopter. The other two will come after all five helicopters are accepted. In theory, the said W-3 were supposed to be sent to PZL Świdnik's plant after the five rebuilt and upgraded W-3WA and W-3WARM (#0505, #0506, #0511) were delivered. But the deadline (30 April 2016) was missed, and all five helicopters are still in PZL Świdnik's plant – which left three Anakonda and two Mi-14PŁ/Rs conducting SAR operations from 44th Naval Air Base in Darłowo, which let them get quickly to any part of the SAR responsibility zone. The small number of the available helicopters made the process of training limited to an absolute minimum. All of the upgraded W-3 are repainted in new gray theme. The reason behind paint scheme was to make them more distinct. The current one, seen from afar was too similar to Boarder Guard one. The fleet of W-3WA/WARM Anakondas was to be supplemented by Airbus H225M Caracals in the CSAR version, planned to be purchased as part of 50 multipurpose "common platform" helicopters program. Six of them were planned for Naval Aviation's as a replacement of Mi- 14PL/R. Unfortunately, when the offset negotiations between the MOD and Airbus Helicopters ended in a fiasco, the whole procedure was abandoned, and the situation became critical. Over the next weeks, MOD launched urgent operational requirement and came with a plan to purchase 12 helicopters that would be shared between the 7th EDS (Special Operations Squadron) (eight) and the Naval Aviation (four). In the case of the latter, there is an option to acquire another four helicopters – and what's important is that all of the helicopters for naval aviation will come in ASW version with conversion kit for CSAR. According to the latest news, there are two European manufacturers competing for the contract – Leonardo and Airbus Helicopters. List of W-3 Sokół/Anakonda helicopters used by the Polish Naval Aviation: Version Delivery Serial no. Tactical no. Notes W-3T 1989 310209 0209 Converted into W-3WA W-3T 1989 310304 0304 Converted into W-3WA W-3RM 1992 390505 0505 Converted into W-3WARM W-3RM 1992 390506 0506 Converted into W-3WARM W-3RM 1993 390511 0511 Converted into W-3WARM W-3RM 1993 390512 0512 Lost on 12 March 1999 W-3RM 1996 390513 0513 Bought by Petrobaltic, returned to the owner in 2015. Currently used in the Ukraine. W-3WARM 1998 360813 0813 W-3WARM 1999 360815 0815 Awaiting upgrade W-3WARM 2002 360906 0906 Awaiting upgrade AVIATION