2019-01-24 10:13 update: 2019-01-25, 20:04
Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz
Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced on Thursday that a deal on the purchase of four Black Hawk helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces will be signed on Friday.
"Tomorrow I will sign a contract with Polish Aviation Works (PZL) in Mielec for the purchase of four Black Hawks for the Polish Armed Forces," Minister Błaszczak told a public radio station on Thursday when asked about rotorcrafts for the Special Forces. He added this would be "the first lot."
Minister Błaszczak said that the most important thing for him is that the Polish Armed Forces be equipped with modern equipment. He would like this equipment to be produced in Poland, because "it is work for Polish workers." Błaszczak emphasised that the Black Hawk helicopter is tested in combat conditions and chosen by over 30 states.
In his opinion, the previous idea of purchasing various variants of helicopters turned out not to be profitable for both the Polish Army and Poland's arms industry.
He also pointed out that, as announced earlier, Polish soldiers will achieve pay rises from February.
After the withdrawal in autumn 2016 from the purchase of 50 H22M Caracal helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters in various versions, the Defence Ministry announced tenders for rescue and anti-submarine warfare helicopters as well as eight helicopters for the Special Forces.
The American Black Hawk is a medium-sized, two-engined multi-role helicopter. In the export version, designated as S-70i, it is assembled at the PZL Mielec plant, where parts of this helicopter are also produced. Black Hawks can carry up to 17 soldiers and have a maximum speed is 295 km/h. The helicopters were purchased by the Polish Police last year. The PZL Mielec plant is owned by the Sikorsky corporation, which belongs to the US Lockheed Martin aircraft company.
(PAP)
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