PZL Mielec Delivers Two M28 Aircraft to Nepal

PZL Mielec has delivered two M28 STOL aircraft to the Nepalese Armed Forces (fot. PZL Mielec)

Mielec, Poland - September 8, 2025 – PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company [NYSE:LMT], has successfully completed delivery of two M28 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft for the Nepalese Armed Forces. The aircraft have already arrived in Kathmandu, where they will begin service in the Nepalese Army fleet.

The order was fulfilled under the U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which provides dedicated financial support to third countries for the purchase of defense-related military equipment. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, awarded the contract on behalf of the U.S. government. The contract included the delivery of two M28 aircraft, a training package, a set of spare parts, medical equipment, technical support, and the transfer of the aircraft from Poland to Nepal.

“By delivering two more M28 aircraft to Nepal, we are not only strengthening local defense capabilities, but also demonstrating that our technology works in the most demanding conditions in the world. We are delighted that our aircraft will support rescue and transport operations in the heart of the Himalayas, where reliability and endurance really matter,” said Janusz Zakręcki, president and general director of PZL Mielec.

The delivered aircraft have been configured in accordance with the customer's requirements – one in the utility configuration version, with the possibility of reconfiguring the aircraft to a passenger, cargo or CASEVAC version, and the other in the air ambulance configuration version.

Importantly, both aircraft have been modernized with the implementation of digital avionics in the Garmin G700 glass cockpit system, significantly improving operational efficiency and crew comfort.

"Both the new avionics system and the specialized medical configuration required certification from civil aviation authorities – the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This process has been successfully completed, confirming the company's ability to carry out complex development projects and obtain approval from international certification bodies," added Janusz Zakręcki.

The new aircraft will significantly strengthen the transport capabilities of the Nepalese Armed Forces, increasing their operational flexibility in difficult geographical and climatic conditions.

Nepal already has three M28 aircraft, two of which were delivered in 2019, also thanks to the support of the U.S. government. The latest deliveries are a continuation of fruitful international cooperation and confirm the global reputation of the M28 aircraft as a proven transport platform with high operational reliability.

The M28 is a multi-role, twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed for operations in hard-to-reach locations, from unpaved runways to extreme weather conditions. It is operated by civil and military users around the world, from South America to Southeast Asia.

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