Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the MSPO 2025 defense exhibition between PGZ, WZL-1, Mesko, Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów, ITWL and Airbus Helicopters, the working groups established under the agreement have developed the key steps leading to the integration of Polish-developed mission systems and weapons with the H145M platform. The objective is to provide the Polish defense sector with significant, sovereign capabilities to support the aircraft throughout its entire lifecycle, while also enabling participation in the development of the range of weapon systems integrated with the platform.
The use of Polish electronic systems and weapons aboard the H145M will ensure stable, long-term involvement of the domestic defense industry in the training of future Polish pilots, weapon system operators and door gunners. This important stage of the project has been approved by both the President of Airbus Helicopters and the President of PGZ.
“Our ambition is to strengthen Poland’s long-term defense sovereignty by supporting the development of independent and modern military helicopter pilot training capabilities and by integrating Polish weapons with the H145M platform. This objective will be achieved through comprehensive technology transfer carried out in close cooperation with the Polish defense industry. The resulting sovereign Polish weapon solutions will also be adaptable and integrable with other helicopter platforms, opening the way to broader industrial cooperation beyond Poland” – said Ludovic Boistot, Head of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus at Airbus Helicopters.
The partnership between Airbus and PGZ Group companies combines a mature, combat-proven aircraft platform with advanced, operationally tested solutions developed by key PGZ Group companies, Mesko and ZM Tarnów, as well as integration processes and electronic systems developed by ITWL. Both Airbus and PGZ will benefit from the exchange of modern technologies and their integration into a single solution optimally tailored to the requirements of the Polish Air Force, while preserving domestic capabilities for further upgrades and the integration of new weapon systems manufactured in Poland using Polish source code.
As a first step, the signatories will assess the possibility of integrating a range of Polish components, including the LZS-12.7 machine gun produced by ZM Tarnów and 70 mm unguided rockets together with launchers manufactured by Mesko. The list of potential domestic systems that could be integrated with the H145M platform is, however, significantly broader. Both sides remain open to assessing additional ITWL and PGZ products that could be added to Airbus’s already extensive portfolio.
Solutions developed in Poland will complement the proven HForce architecture, introducing independent national operational capabilities tailored to domestic requirements while maintaining full interoperability with NATO standards.
A key element of the industrial package will be the transfer by Airbus Helicopters and its partners of modern H145M maintenance capabilities to WZL-1 facilities in Łódź. This will enable them to provide comprehensive through-life support for the H145M helicopter not only for Poland, but also for other users in Eastern Europe.
Beyond the planned industrial cooperation, Airbus Helicopters will establish a strategic alliance with Polish research institutes and industrial partners in the field of Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming (C-U/T). The initiative is intended to develop key technologies enabling close integration of helicopters with unmanned systems, including drones manufactured in Poland.
PGZ companies, ITWL and local suppliers will gradually develop advanced engineering capabilities. This development will be further supported through cooperation with Polish universities and research centers in the fields of diagnostics, maintenance and digital support systems. This will help sustain and expand highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs across the country.
“Cooperation with Airbus Helicopters will create significant new opportunities for integrating Polish weapons and sovereign technologies, for example with the H145M platform, while also constituting a first step toward integrating Polish entities into the broader Airbus Helicopters supply chain. By leveraging the industrial potential of PGZ companies within the Aviation Domain, we are significantly strengthening the long-term autonomy of the Polish defense industry in the integration of weapons and onboard systems, as well as the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities of several PGZ Group companies. With a broad industrial base and many years of experience in supporting the technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces, we are very pleased to have the opportunity to further develop our capabilities in maintenance and weapon integration on modern European helicopter platforms” – said Piotr Zawieja, Vice President of the Management Board of PGZ responsible for the Aviation Domain.
Together with its partners Babcock and CAE, Airbus Helicopters has already submitted a proposal to establish in Poland a modern, integrated combat helicopter crew training system based on the H145M platform.
Press release
See also:
- Babcock and WZL-1 Join Forces to Establish a Helicopter Centre in Poland
- MSPO 2025: Airbus Helicopters signs a cooperation agreement with Polish Armaments Group and ITWL
- Polish WZL-1 and Airbus Helicopters to Cooperate on H145M for Armed Forces
- Airbus, Babcock, and CAE Present H145M Offer for Poland
- Entities to Market Consultations Regarding Purchase Of 24 Training Helicopters
