Poland Completes Production of First AW149 Helicopter to Replace Mi-2

The first AW149 helicopter for Poland’s Ground Forces has been manufactured at the PZL Świdnik facility, marking a key milestone in modernizing the country’s aviation fleet.

User Wiktor Sawicki shared a photo of the completed helicopter on the X social media:

Pierwszy AW149 z linii montażowej w Świdniku ??❗️

Fotografia z wczoraj (26.02), EPSW pic.twitter.com/kabgTea1IZ

— Wiktor Sawicki (@Wiktrsaw) February 27, 2025

Production was launched following a contract signed on July 1, 2022, between Poland’s Ministry of Defense and Italian defense company Leonardo, the developer and manufacturer of the AW149.

The contract, valued at approximately $1.8 billion (PLN 8.25 billion), includes the delivery of 32 AW149 helicopters, which will replace Poland’s aging Mi-2 and W-3 Sokol fleets.

The first two helicopters were delivered in October 2023 and were manufactured by Leonardo.

The AW149s were delivered to the 7th Aviation Squadron in Nowy Glinnyk, which is part of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade of the Polish Army.

PZL Świdnik, which became part of Leonardo’s Italian holding in 2010, has now launched its own production line for AW149 helicopters to fulfill Polish orders and explore export opportunities. This acquisition enabled Italian manufacturers to establish a presence in the Polish aviation market with their aircraft.

The remaining helicopters are expected to be delivered by 2029. The AW149s will perform various missions, including troop transport, air support, search-and-rescue operations, combat evacuations, and cargo transport.

The Polish configuration includes surveillance systems, small arms, and guided and unguided missiles, with armament options that can be mounted in the cockpit or on external suspension points depending on operational needs.