Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak praised the new machines at a military airfield near the central city of Tomaszów Mazowiecki, state news agency PAP reported.
The medium-lift, multi-role military choppers are produced by Italian multinational aerospace company Leonardo at its PZL Świdnik factory in eastern Poland, officials told reporters.
The defence minister said that "the international stage is characterised by various threats," such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.
Błaszczak stated: “The only effective response to threats is to strengthen the Polish armed forces.”
He added that it was “a great satisfaction” for him to be able to present the first two of 32 AW-149 helicopters ordered for Poland’s air force.
The defence minister said the machines also “represent the future for the PZL Świdnik factory, which will strengthen Poland’s arms-making potential by producing these helicopters.”
Błaszczak told reporters that Polish pilots and technicians had already been trained on the AW-149 helicopters, the PAP news agency reported.
He added: “Currently the machines are equipped with machine guns and unguided rockets, but soon they will also have guided rockets and the Hellfire air-to-ground anti-armour missiles.”
The defence minister also said that the AW-149 would provide battlefield support as well as tactical and troop transport, as they can carry up to 12 combat-laden troops, in addition to two crew members and two machine-gun operators, the PAP news agency reported.
Under a PLN 8.2 billion (EUR 1.8 billion) deal signed last year, Poland ordered 32 AW-149 helicopters, slated for delivery between 2023 and 2029, according to officials.
The machines have a top speed of 313 kph, cruise speed of 287 kph, range of 958 km and endurance of 4 hours and 55 minutes, the PAP news agency reported.
Monday is day 614 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl