Poland Delivers First Domestically Assembled AW149 Helicopter to Air Cavalry Brigade

On 27 November 2025 — Poland has reached a significant milestone in its defense industrial expansion with the formal delivery of the first fully assembled AW149 multirole helicopter produced domestically. The aircraft was handed over today to the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade at Nowy Glinnik, symbolizing a strategic leap in Poland’s ambition to build a self-reliant and export-capable aerospace sector.

First Polish-Built AW149 Enters Service

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the helicopter is the eleventh of 32 AW149s ordered under a 2022 contract with Italy’s Leonardo, but crucially the first to be fully assembled in Poland at the PZL-Świdnik facility. The local production line, launched in 2024, is designed not only for assembly but also for full-life maintenance, upgrades, and potential future variants.

Defense officials stated that the arrival of the first Polish-built unit will accelerate the modernization of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, which relies on rapid-deployment rotary platforms for air assault, troop transport, and tactical mobility roles.

A Strategic Industrial Investment

The AW149 production line is part of a broader plan to strengthen Poland’s defense industrial autonomy. PZL-Świdnik—already manufacturing AW101 maritime helicopters for the Polish Navy—has now become a core pillar of Poland’s aviation cluster.

Officials emphasized three strategic benefits:

• Reduced reliance on foreign suppliers, especially during periods of geopolitical tension

• Long-term sustainment ability through domestic integration, modernization, and overhaul

• Creation of a regional NATO service hub for AW149 and potentially AW101 customers

PZL-Świdnik leadership confirmed that the plant is already configured for additional units and can support flight testing, armament integration, servicing, and potential mid-life upgrades. The company also noted that the AW149’s maiden flight in April 2025—conducted by engineers and pilots from the new line—was completed on schedule.

Leonardo officials added that cooperation between Polish and Italian teams has been “efficient and seamless,” enabling pilot and technician training to begin without delays.

A Capable, Combat-Oriented Multirole Platform

The AW149, first unveiled in 2006, is a military evolution of the globally successful AW139. Designed for battlefield resilience, its airframe incorporates composites, ballistic-tolerant structures, and crashworthy systems including energy-absorbing landing gear and fuel tanks.

Key performance characteristics include:

• Max takeoff weight: 8,600 kg

• Max speed: approx. 310–313 km/h

• Cruise speed: 278–290 km/h

• Range: 844–1,009 km, depending on load and configuration

• Service ceiling: approx. 4,600 m

• Passenger capacity: up to 19 lightly equipped troops, or 16 fully equipped soldiers

• Engines: twin GE CT7-2E1 or Safran Aneto-1K, both with FADEC

The helicopter supports a broad mix of mission profiles, including:

• Air assault and rapid troop transport

• MEDEVAC and CASEVAC

• Special operations insertion

• Command & control

• Armed escort, with options for machine guns, rockets, guided weapons, and defensive aids suites

Its five-blade anti-ice rotor, dual separated hydraulics, redundant electrical systems, and armor options provide enhanced survivability tailored for modern high-threat environments.

Poland Positions Itself as a Regional Rotorcraft Hub

The Polish government aims to use the AW149 program to attract more advanced manufacturing jobs, boost defense exports, and deepen cooperation with NATO partners who operate or are considering the AW family of helicopters.

Analysts note that the program strengthens Poland’s long-term goal of:

• Building a sovereign helicopter ecosystem

• Expanding logistics and support capabilities for regional allies

• Ensuring Poland can sustain high-tempo military operations without dependency on external maintenance pipelines

Several NATO states in Central and Eastern Europe have shown interest in the AW149, and Poland’s domestic line provides an incentive by offering shorter supply chains and regional support packages.

Next Steps

More Polish-assembled AW149s are expected to roll out throughout 2026, with full delivery of all 32 aircraft planned before 2030. Defense officials also indicated that upgrades—including new avionics, weapon configurations, and survivability systems—are under discussion for later production blocks.

With this delivery, Poland has signaled that it is not only modernizing its air cavalry formations but also making a serious push toward becoming a key European manufacturer and maintainer of advanced military helicopters.