On Monday, August 11, 2025, the Armaments Agency announced on social media that the first AW149 multirole support helicopter, produced at the Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego PZL-Świdnik plant (part of Leonardo Helicopters), will be delivered in the autumn of this year.
Photo: Armaments Agency via X
“Take a look at the production of the AW149 for the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade – the first helicopter produced at PZL-Świdnik is taking its final shape. This autumn, we expect to hand the machine over to our Cavalrymen,” reads a short post by the Armaments Agency on the social media platform X, accompanied by three photographs.
It should be noted that the helicopter in question made its maiden flight on April 14 of this year, performing a test flight as part of the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) to verify compliance with the design configuration. The rotorcraft was first spotted on February 26 during preparations for testing. According to the latest photographs, the aircraft has now received its final paint scheme.
The first three helicopters of this type, produced by Leonardo in Varese-Venegono, Italy, were delivered on October 30 and December 15, 2023. The remaining 28 units, under a contract worth 8.25 billion PLN gross, signed on July 1, 2022, for a total of 32 units, are being built in Poland.
The contract also includes logistics and training/simulator packages. The logistics package comprises a stock of spare and consumable parts, as well as equipment for the ground servicing of the helicopters. The training and simulator package covers comprehensive training for pilots and technical personnel, along with the delivery of advanced simulators and training equipment.
The AW149 final assembly line (FAL) and the station for testing, installing special equipment, and conducting flight tests (Flight Line, FL) at WSK PZL-Świdnik were officially opened on June 5, 2024. According to the company’s statements, the facility will be capable of assembling up to 10 AW149 helicopters annually, ensuring the contract with the Ministry of National Defence is completed by 2029.
The helicopters will replace the W-3 Sokół in the 7th Aviation Squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade as part of the Army Aviation branch.
Meanwhile, the construction of additional helicopters is underway
The AW149 is a multirole military helicopter capable of conducting VFR/IFR (Visual Flight Rules/Instrument Flight Rules) operations by day and night, as well as under NVG (Night Vision Goggles) conditions. Its maximum take-off weight is 8,300 kg, with the option to increase it to 8,600 kg. The helicopter’s maximum speed is 313 km/h, with a cruising speed of 287 km/h. The crew consists of two, although a single pilot can carry out basic missions. Its maximum range is 958 km, and maximum endurance is 4 hours and 55 minutes. The AW149 can carry up to 19 passengers.
The ordered helicopters, configured to meet the needs of the Polish Armed Forces, are equipped with observation systems, firearms, guided and unguided rockets, as well as self-defense systems. Depending on the mission profile, the armament can be installed either inside the cabin or on the helicopter’s hard points.
On May 30, 2023, the Armaments Agency signed a contract worth around 150 million USD (633 million PLN at the time) for the delivery of 800 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II air-to-ground anti-tank guided missiles for these helicopters (deliveries have already begun – editor’s note). The rotorcraft are powered by General Electric CT7-2E1 turboshaft engines rated at 2,000 hp, under a contract signed with the U.S. company GE Aviation on October 17, 2022.
Zobaczcie jak wygląda produkcja #AW149 dla @25BKPow – pierwszy śmigłowiec wyprodukowany w @PZLSwidnik nabiera docelowych kształtów – już jesienią oczekujemy na przekazanie maszyny naszym Kawalerzystom. pic.twitter.com/e7MJ6QlUaZ
— Agencja Uzbrojenia (@AgencjaUzbr) August 11, 2025
