Thu, Jan 19, 2012
Total Contract Value Placed At Around $115 Million
The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed an agreement
with PZL-Swidnik for the supply of five W-3WA Sokól
helicopters and the upgrade of 14 helicopters. The manufacture and
upgrading activities will be undertaken at the PZL-Swidnik factory
in Poland, and the total value of the contract is placed at about
$115 million (US).
VIP Transport
The five new W-3WA Sokól helicopters will be configured
for VIP transport and used by the Polish Air Force to provide
transport services for senior military and government personnel.
Featuring outstanding operational capability, the W-3A has proven
to be a very effective, rugged and reliable helicopter in all
conditions. Deliveries of the five aircraft will be completed
by the end of 2013.
Separate contracts for the upgrading of 14 helicopters have also
been signed comprising the upgrade of four W-3 Sokól
helicopters to W-3PL Gluszec armed configuration, the overhaul and
upgrade of eight Mi-2 helicopters and the upgrade of two W-3VIP
helicopters with a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control)
system. Deliveries of the upgraded W-3PL Gluszec helicopters will
be completed in the second half of 2014 and represents the second
batch in a plan to upgrade a total of 32 helicopters in the next
five to six years, forming the back bone of Poland’s combat
support capability.
“We are delighted to have secured these contracts with the
Ministry of National Defence for the production of new helicopters
and the cost effective upgrade of existing helicopters in the
Polish MoD’s inventory," said Mieczyslaw Majewski, President
of the Management Board, PZL-Swidnik. "These contracts recognise
that in Swidnik we have the capability to develop, manufacture and
upgrade helicopters, providing outstanding support to our
customers.”
W-3PL Gluszec
“We are proud that the W-3WA Sokól has been
selected for the important and high profile VIP transport
requirement. This selection and recent export successes confirms
the W-3 Sokól as a highly attractive product in the market,"
added Nicola Bianco, Managing Director, PZL-Swidnik. "The W-3PL
Gluszec program also highlights PZL-Swidnik’s ability to
undertake complex major upgrade programs. The next challenge for
PZL- Swidnik is to provide the most attractive solution for the
Polish Ministry of Defence’s tender for 26 helicopters: we
have the product, the overall capability, experience and the
organization to properly serve the Armed Forces.”
PZL-Swidnik is Poland’s only helicopter manufacturer with the
full capability to design, develop, manufacture and support its
products in country. PZL-Swidnik with 3,500 employees is also the
biggest aerospace manufacturer in Poland and one of the biggest
employers in South East Poland. As well as producing helicopters,
PZL-Swidnik is also a leading manufacturer of aircraft structures
for many aerospace companies around the world.
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