Poland receives helicopter tenders from industry

[Zarvan]

Airbus Helicopters has told Jane's that it has responded to the Polish RFPs, and while it declined to provide details at this stage the company's offering is most likely based on the H225M (pictured) that was previously selected by the country. Lockheed Martin is to offer its Black Hawk, while Leonardo Helicopters did not respond to a request for comment. Source: Airbus Helicopters

The bids for Poland's two new helicopter tenders have been submitted to the country's Ministry of National Defence (MND) and Armament Inspectorate for review.

Airbus Helicopters and Lockheed Martin both told Jane's on 30 March that they had responded to the request for proposals (RFPs) that were issued in February, while Leonardo Helicopters had not responded to a request for confirmation by the time of publication.

The two RFPs are for eight helicopters each and cover the procurement of special operations forces (SOF) helicopters to replace the armed forces' current Mil Mi-8/17 'Hip' platforms, and for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters to replace the current Mil Mi-14 'Haze' platforms. Both requirements have a secondary combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) element. The ASW requirement may be split into a buy of four helicopters, with an option for four more.

"[The company] confirms it has submitted answers to both acquisition procedures launched by the Polish Armament Inspectorate," Airbus Helicopters said. "The detailed content of these answers has been shared with the Polish Ministry of [National] Defence and the Armament Inspectorate. Airbus Helicopters does not intend to comment further at this stage."

Lockheed Martin told Jane's that it had only responded to the SOF RFP at this time. "We submitted our proposal on 27 March. Our proposal is based on the supply of rugged, versatile, and reliable [S-70i] Black Hawks manufactured in Mielec and supported in Poland through the involvement of PGZ companies," the company said. "With virtually identical aircraft, they allow the Polish forces to operate and defend alongside US and other NATO partners.… We look forward to discussing the detailed content of our Black Hawk proposal with the Polish government during the evaluation process, which will now follow."

Although Leonardo Helicopters did not respond to a request for comment, Jane'sunderstands that it offered the AgustaWestland AW101 for both the SOF and ASW tenders (previously it offered Poland its AgustaWestland AW149).

This article, first published on 30/03/2017, has been updated with new information.

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