Poland reportedly chose S-70i helicopter after scraping Airbus deal

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Poland
 
 
Poland reportedly chose S-70i helicopter after scraping Airbus deal
 
Poland could have already chosen another option after having scrapped a US $3.5 billion deal with Airbus Helicopters for 50 H225M Caracal tactical multirole helicopters. According to Polish newspapers, the Polish governement is about to begin talks with the US defense giant Lockheed Martin for the purchase of S-70i Black Hawk rotorcraft.
     
Poland reportedly chose Black Hawk helicopter after scrapping Airbus deal 640 001A S-70i Black Hawk manufactured by PZL Mielec
(Credit: PZL Mielec)
     
I hope that Polish special forces will soon be flying these helicopters. Following today’s discussion with the company’s president, I know that I can safely say this: talks will begin this week, and they will reach their culmination this year,” the Polish Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz said at a press conference while visiting PZL Mielec aircraft plant, which will manufacture the Black Hawks.

According to Antoni Macierewicz, the first Black Hawk helicopters manufactured by PZL Mielec will be delivered to the Polish special forces for the purpose of military exercises later this year. “This shows Poland’s potential, and the potential of Mielec, as well as the whole of [Poland's] Aviation Valley,” Macierewicz added.

The S-70i is the company name for the H-60 variant assembled by PZL Mielec in Poland. A first prototype successfully made its inaugural flight in July 2010. The S-70i helicopter can be configured according to customer specific missions, including troop transport and air assault, command and control, border patrol, search and rescue, cargo lift and VIP transport. The S-70i Black Hawk is powered by two T700-GE701D turboshaft engines equipped with C controls.
 

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