Polish Armed Forces take delivery of two S-70i Black Hawk helicopters
The delivery of the two helicopters from Lockheed Martin company, PZL Mielec, concludes a contract for four of the aircraft under a deal signed in 2021 worth 666 million Zlotys…
November 22, 2024
The delivery of the two helicopters from Lockheed Martin company, PZL Mielec, concludes a contract for four of the aircraft under a deal signed in 2021 worth 666 million Zlotys (US$165.3 million) and brings the Force’s fleet to a total of eight Black Hawk aircraft.
The delivery will “significantly enhance the operational capabilities and bolster the country’s security,” commented Janusz Zakręcki, PZL president and general director
The PZL Mielec-produced S-70 Black Hawk helicopters share the proven pedigree of UH-60M Black Hawks. Designed for special operations use with two crew members and up to 13 troops, the helicopter excels in demanding operational environments . Its versatility and reliability were highlighted during recent flood response efforts in southern Poland, where it played a crucial role in rescue operations, transporting vital equipment and personnel.
Over the last six years, PZL Mielec has delivered eight helicopters to the Polish Armed Forces under two separate contracts. The previous deal was signed in January 2019 and resulted in the delivery of four Black Hawk helicopters also configured to the specifications of the Polish Ministry of Defence.
Inconsistent procurement strategy
Poland’s decision to procure a fleet of Black Hawk helicopters is particularly noteworthy given its 2022 agreement to acquire 32 AW149 multi-role helicopters from Leonardo-owned PZL-Swidnik. In June 2024, Leonardo reinforced its commitment to Poland by announcing the launch of an AW149 production line in the country to bolster the Armed Forces’ readiness to meet the modern warfare challenges.
The procurement of both Leonardo AW149 and Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters has raised eyebrows due to their overlapping roles as medium-lift multirole platforms. While this decision to operate both aircraft types may reflect strategic goals to diversify defence partnerships (with both the US and Europe) and leverage the unique strengths of each platform, it could also pose challenges. Operating two similar helicopter types may increase logistical maintenance and training complexities and ultimately complicate long-term fleet management.
