On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the headquarters of Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego PZL-Świdnik (part of Leonardo Helicopters), the first AW149 multirole support helicopter assembled in Poland, intended for the Polish Army, was spotted. Previously, the first three of the 32 contracted units were assembled at Leonardo’s Italian facilities in Varese-Venegono.
The mentioned AW149 helicopter during assembly last year / Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The helicopter was photographed by aviation spotter Mr. Wiktor Sawicki, who posted the picture on his profile on the social media platform X.
Pierwszy AW149 z linii montażowej w Świdniku 🇵🇱❗️
Fotografia z wczoraj (26.02), EPSW pic.twitter.com/kabgTea1IZ
— Wiktor Sawicki (@Wiktrsaw) February 27, 2025
The editorial team of the MILMAG portal obtained a statement on the matter from WSK PZL-Świdnik:
“PZL-Świdnik officially announced the opening of the final assembly line for AW149 multirole helicopters in June 2024. At the current stage, the first helicopter produced in Poland, in Świdnik, is already in the Flight Line testing phase. The work is proceeding according to schedule, and additional AW149 helicopters are in production on the domestic final assembly line. This crucial aspect for the military—local helicopter production—is a key factor in strengthening national resilience, industrial sovereignty, and, consequently, military independence.
After the scheduled helicopter tests are completed, we will provide further information.”
The final assembly line (FAL) for the AW149, along with the test, special equipment installation, and flight testing station (Flight Line, FL), was officially inaugurated on June 5, 2024. According to official statements, the facility is expected to have the capacity to assemble up to 10 AW149 helicopters per year, ensuring the delivery of 32 rotorcraft by the end of 2029 as per the contract, while also being capable of handling additional orders if needed.
The final assembly process is divided into three stages. During the first stage, the helicopter is equipped with electrical wiring, control systems, fuel, and hydraulic installations. In the next phase, the cockpit is assembled, and the engines, main gearbox, landing gear, and power units are installed. In the final assembly stage, the tail boom with the tail rotor, windows, stabilizers, and rotor hub are mounted.
The final phase of helicopter production takes place at the Flight Line (FL), where the aircraft undergo final inspections, the installation of cryptographic systems, and flight tests.
A previously test-flown unit
AW149 for Polish military
On July 1, 2022, at the Świdnik aviation plant, a contract worth 8.25 billion PLN gross was signed between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego PZL-Świdnik (part of Leonardo Helicopters) for the delivery of 32 AW149 multirole support helicopters for the Land Forces Aviation, with deliveries scheduled for 2023-2029. The signing ceremony was attended by the then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak.
The contract also includes logistics and training-simulator packages. The logistics package consists of a stock of spare and consumable parts as well as ground support equipment for helicopter maintenance. The training-simulator package includes comprehensive training for pilots and technical personnel, along with the delivery of a set of advanced simulators and training equipment.
The AW149 helicopter is a multirole military helicopter capable of conducting flights under VFR/IFR (Visual Flight Rules/Instrument Flight Rules) conditions, both day and night, as well as in NVC (Night Vision Conditions). Its maximum takeoff weight is 8,300 kg, with the possibility of increasing it to 8,600 kg. The helicopter has a maximum speed of 313 km/h and a cruise speed of 287 km/h. The crew consists of two persons, although basic missions can be carried out by a single pilot. The maximum range is 958 km, with a maximum flight endurance of 4 hours and 55 minutes. The AW149 can carry up to 19 passengers on board.
The ordered helicopters, configured to meet the needs of the Polish Armed Forces, are equipped with observation systems, machine guns, guided and unguided rockets, and self-defense systems. Depending on the operational variant, the weaponry can be installed either inside the cabin or on the helicopter’s external hardpoints.
On May 30, 2023, the Armament Agency signed a contract worth approximately 150 million USD (633 million PLN) for the delivery of 800 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II air-to-ground anti-tank guided missiles for these helicopters. The rotorcraft are equipped with General Electric CT7-2E1 turboshaft engines, each with an output of 2,000 HP, under a contract signed with the American company GE Aviation on October 17, 2022.
The helicopters will replace the W-3 Sokół in the 7th Aviation Squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade.
