MIELEC, Poland, January 25, 2019 – The Polish Minister of Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, has today confirmed an order for four Polish-built Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to provide an enhanced capability to Poland’s Special Operations Forces (SOF). Production of the aircraft will begin immediately with delivery of all four aircraft by the end of this year.
Speaking at a contract signing event at Lockheed Martin’s PZL Mielec facility, where the S-70i is built, Minister Błaszczak said: "This is an important moment and an important day for Poland and employees at PZL Mielec. The Polish Army has bought proven Black Hawk helicopters. Helicopters that have been tested in war conditions in Iraq and in Afghanistan and are among the most modern in the world."
Minister also said: “It is the first stage of cooperation between the Polish Army and PZL Mielec."
The contract was signed in the presence of the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Production of the special operations Black Hawks will directly sustain around 1,700 jobs at PZL Mielec and support employment for approximately 5,000 more within the company’s Polish supply chain. Many of these companies are small to medium sized businesses based in Aviation Valley.
The exact specification of each aircraft and details of the specialist equipment fitted is covered by Poland’s Zastrzezone security level and cannot be disclosed.
“With both the national police and special operations forces selecting the S-70i Black Hawk, our Polish-built helicopters now have government endorsement and this sends and important signal of trust to potential export customers,” said Janusz Zakrecki, President and general director, PZL Mielec. “The S-70i is identical in terms of capability and performance to other Black Hawk helicopters in service with a number of Poland’s NATO allies. It will allow Polish troops to integrate quickly and operate seamlessly with their allies.”
Designed and manufactured to U.S. Army requirements, the multi-role Black Hawk helicopter is the preferred combat assault and utility helicopter for the U.S. military and 31 international customers.
Designed for deployed operations and field maintenance in mind, it can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of missions, such as troop transport and combat assault, MEDEVAC, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, cargo lift, and as an armed helicopter for the attack mission.
With more than 50 years of collaboration with NATO, Lockheed Martin is a trusted strategic partner for Europe.
The company opened its office in central Warsaw in 1997 and partners with the Polish Ministry of Defence on a variety of defence and security programmes including Air Sovereignty Operation Centres, F-16, Sniper advanced targeting pods, C-130E Hercules and Aegis Ashore.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
