PZL-Swidnik, April 15, 2025 - On April 14, 2025, the first domestically produced AW149 performed a test flight as part of the helicopter's compliance procedure with the design configuration, the so-called Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP). Further flight tests will be conducted in accordance with the art and schedule.
A new type of helicopter manufactured entirely in PZL-Świdnik, modern and resulting from the implementation of the latest, 21st century technology and design techniques, is the most anticipated event in PZL-Świdnik and the Polish aviation cluster.
The contract for 32 multi-role helicopters for the Polish army was signed in Świdnik on July 1, 2022, and less than a year after that date, the first helicopter left the final assembly line, then at the Italian Leonardo plant in Vergiate as part of an urgent need and fulfillment of the provisions of the contract in a difficult geopolitical situation. At that time, training of Polish PZL-Świdnik employees in specific job positions at Leonardo could also begin. In fact, from the very first helicopter intended for the Polish army, the domestic staff of PZL-Świdnik participated in production.
Importantly, the implementation of the contract for the delivery of AW149s to the Polish army assumed from the very beginning the full production of these helicopters in Poland, along with the transfer of technology and the establishment of a production and repair and maintenance base.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said "The implementation of the contract for the AW149 for the Polish army is an example of excellent work done jointly by the Italian and Polish teams, the efficiency of the entire supply chain and, finally, successful cooperation with the user. The combination of these factors contributed to the fact that the Polish army was able to start the training phase for this type of helicopter on schedule. The effects of this cooperation give us the incentive to consider how we could best cope with future helicopter programs for the Polish army, perhaps through similar initiatives"
Jacek Libucha, president of PZL-Świdnik, said "For all of us at PZL-Świdnik, April 14, 2025 is an extremely important date, marking another strategic achievement of the Świdnik plant. The new type of helicopter manufactured at PZL-Świdnik is an event that has been planned and expected for a long time. Today, while testing in flight this most modern helicopter in the world in this weight category, we all have reason to be deeply satisfied with our work for the Polish army. We have more units to produce, test in flight, and in the future service and, perhaps in accordance with the future needs of the army, also their modernization and integration of new systems - we already have full capabilities for all these activities"
A new type of helicopter manufactured entirely in PZL-Świdnik, modern and resulting from the implementation of the latest, 21st century technology and design techniques, is the most anticipated event in PZL-Świdnik and the Polish aviation cluster.
The contract for 32 multi-role helicopters for the Polish army was signed in Świdnik on July 1, 2022, and less than a year after that date, the first helicopter left the final assembly line, then at the Italian Leonardo plant in Vergiate as part of an urgent need and fulfillment of the provisions of the contract in a difficult geopolitical situation. At that time, training of Polish PZL-Świdnik employees in specific job positions at Leonardo could also begin. In fact, from the very first helicopter intended for the Polish army, the domestic staff of PZL-Świdnik participated in production.
Importantly, the implementation of the contract for the delivery of AW149s to the Polish army assumed from the very beginning the full production of these helicopters in Poland, along with the transfer of technology and the establishment of a production and repair and maintenance base.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said "The implementation of the contract for the AW149 for the Polish army is an example of excellent work done jointly by the Italian and Polish teams, the efficiency of the entire supply chain and, finally, successful cooperation with the user. The combination of these factors contributed to the fact that the Polish army was able to start the training phase for this type of helicopter on schedule. The effects of this cooperation give us the incentive to consider how we could best cope with future helicopter programs for the Polish army, perhaps through similar initiatives"
Jacek Libucha, president of PZL-Świdnik, said "For all of us at PZL-Świdnik, April 14, 2025 is an extremely important date, marking another strategic achievement of the Świdnik plant. The new type of helicopter manufactured at PZL-Świdnik is an event that has been planned and expected for a long time. Today, while testing in flight this most modern helicopter in the world in this weight category, we all have reason to be deeply satisfied with our work for the Polish army. We have more units to produce, test in flight, and in the future service and, perhaps in accordance with the future needs of the army, also their modernization and integration of new systems - we already have full capabilities for all these activities"
Comments | Join community |
| PZL Świdnik a Company with long history of building aircraft. |
| Well in Poland labor costs much less than in Italy. Well done Leonardo. Too bad the money is Italian. |
| Congratulations PZL |
See also |
AW149 in
PZL Swidnik AW149 in
Wojska Lądowe AW149 in
Leonardo Italy Handover of First AW149 Helicopter Produced in Poland
