“Creating a production, service and maintenance base in Poland prepares us for potential disruptions in supply chains,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the handover of the first AW149 helicopter manufactured entirely at the PZL-Świdnik plant. He stressed that such an approach should be an integral factor when selecting suppliers as part of the military modernisation process. According to Deputy Speaker of the Sejm Krzysztof Bosak, if the equipment is modern and meets the requirements of the Armed Forces, it should be delivered by the Polish defence industry—or at least with the involvement of Polish production.
“In a changing world, where supply chain disruptions make us vulnerable not only economically but also socially, creating a production, service and maintenance base in Poland ensures full independence from crises linked to supply chain instability. The choice of manufacturers in all modernisation and transformation efforts, as well as in the procurement of new equipment, should always include an element of independence,”
emphasised Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz when speaking to journalists.
AW149 Contract Includes Local Production, Logistics and Full Assembly Line in Świdnik
This component is also embedded in the PLN 8.25 billion gross contract signed in July 2022 between the Ministry of National Defence (MON) and PZL-Świdnik, part of the Italian Leonardo Group. The contract covers the delivery of 32 AW149 multirole helicopters together with a logistics package, a training and simulation package, and the establishment of a full production and assembly line in Świdnik.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that industrial cooperation and technology transfer are crucial in defence procurement. A similar approach was applied in the Orka submarine programme, whose results were announced earlier this week. Poland will purchase three A26 submarines from Sweden, with full technology transfer and participation of Polish shipyards.
“In the Orka programme, we selected our Swedish partners along with the transfer of technology to Poland—full repairs, full servicing, and even joint production by Polish and Swedish shipyards. This was very important to us. The same applies to the AW149: 32 helicopters ordered, 10 produced in Italy, and the next 22 produced at PZL-Świdnik as part of Polish-Italian cooperation,”
said Kosiniak-Kamysz at the 7th Aviation Squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, where the handover of the first AW149 fully manufactured in Poland took place.
“We have multiple partners—Sweden, Italy, South Korea, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Norway—and very significant capabilities within the Polish defence industry.”
More AW149s Coming from Polish Production Lines
By the end of this year, the military is expected to have 14 AW149 helicopters, including those produced entirely in Poland. Thanks to the new production line, an additional 21 helicopters from Świdnik will enter service by 2029.
The AW149 platform is configured to perform combat support missions, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), assault and special-operations insertions (Fast Roping, FRIES, SPIES), as well as cargo and logistical transport. MON emphasises that the helicopters ordered for the Polish Armed Forces are equipped with a wide range of specialised systems that can be installed inside the cabin or on external hardpoints depending on mission requirements.
“PZL-Świdnik and the Polish industry are fully prepared for further development and to support the Polish military—whether by expanding the AW149 programme or developing other helicopter platforms that may be of interest to the armed forces,”
said Bartosz M. Śliwa, CEO of PZL-Świdnik.
“Our largest needs relate to training helicopters and heavy transport helicopters. Military commanders highlight these priorities, and we will monitor them closely. First, we select competent suppliers and then execute the contracts,”
added Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Domestic Production Speeds Up Response to Operational Needs
Producing equipment in Poland allows faster responses to the army’s operational needs and makes it easier to adapt machines to changing requirements.
“It is obvious to me that whenever possible, we should procure defence equipment from the Polish defence industry. And if that is not possible directly through Polish companies, then at least through entities involving Polish production or Polish capital,”
said Krzysztof Bosak in an interview with Newseria during the event.
“Behind me stands a helicopter manufactured entirely in Poland. The company unfortunately is not Polish-owned, but the realities of the modern economy often require international cooperation. As long as this cooperation includes production and technological development in Poland, integrating us into global supply chains, there is every reason to welcome it.”
He added that efforts must be made to keep such production inside the country. The priority, however, must always be meeting the full requirements of the Armed Forces. According to Bosak, long-term procurement planning is essential for successful military modernisation—something that has been lacking in the past.
“If the military can identify in advance what it wants to buy, in what quantity, and with what technical specifications—and this is entirely feasible over long time horizons—then it becomes easier for any company, whether Polish or foreign, to adjust its offer and production capacity. When this planning is missing, costs increase because improvisation or sudden expansion of manufacturing capabilities is always more expensive than calm, long-term planning,”
Bosak explained.
EU’s SAFE Programme May Accelerate Defence Procurement
Defence procurement in Poland may now accelerate with the implementation of the EU’s new SAFE programme, designed to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and support member states in boosting critical defence capabilities. Poland is expected to become the programme’s largest beneficiary. The government has applied for nearly EUR 44 billion from the available EUR 150 billion pool, declaring plans to use the funds for around 140 projects related to air defence, counter-drone systems, cybersecurity, military mobility and critical infrastructure.
According to MON, as much as 89% of SAFE-funded defence spending for the Polish Armed Forces could be invested directly into the Polish defence industry and executed domestically.
