Poland buys 32 AgustaWestland helicopters for EUR 1.75 billion

Poland has ordered 32 AgustaWestland AW 149 multi-role helicopters for the Polish army for EUR 1.75 billion.

The Polish defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak, signed an agreement with Leonardo on Friday in the eastern town of Swidnik, where the aviation company has its manufacturing branch.

The contract is for PLN 8.25 billion EUR 1.75 billion, according to Blaszczak.

The Polish Army will receive the first helicopters at the beginning of 2023.

Blaszczak said that in 2019 the Defence Ministry ordered four AW 101 helicopters produced by Leonardo for the Polish Navy and that they have signed an agreement on the delivery of helicopters to the Polish Army at the Swidnik plant.

Blaszczak expressed satisfaction that the Polish plant will contribute to the construction of the aircraft.

He said that the Polish land forces will get modern helicopters as soon as next year, and that the government has sped up arms purchases due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.