Helikopter - Polen og politikk

H225M Passes Polish Flight Tests: Contract for 50 Awaited

by Franek Grabowski

 - June 11, 2015, 7:33 AM

The Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal has passed a flight evaluation by the Polish MoD, and should now secure the planned 50-unit order. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

After a series of flight demonstrations in Poland last month, the country has confirmed its                     choice of the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal as its new medium multirole helicopter. The               move comes despite concerns raised by some Polish politicians that the Airbus bid does not match that of AgustaWestland or Sikorsky for local industrial participation. However, their concerns might have been eased by news that Lockheed Martin has met all its offset commitments with respect to the sale of 48 F-16C/D Block 52s to Poland in 2006 to 2008, the country’s previous largest defense acquisition.

In the flight demonstrations, the H225M showed it complies with 32 requirements stated by the Armament Inspectorate of the Polish Ministry of Defence. The contract for 50 helicopters is expected to be signed in the autumn, although politics could yet intervene, since Presidential elections take place then. The ruling party lost local elections in Poland last month.