In total, the Naval Aviation Brigade operates four helicopters delivered by the European manufacturer. The fourth one, serial number 6201, arrived in Darłowo in June 2024. All of them were ordered by the Armament Inspectorate in April 2019.
The first AW101 helicopters were delivered to Darłowo in December 2023, and the fourth in June 2024. Currently, their readiness level appears to be low, as suggested by observations from publicly available sources tracking air traffic / Photos: Naval Aviation Brigade
The value of the contract was 1.65 billion PLN, and it was accompanied by an offset worth 396 million PLN. As a result, a Helicopter Maintenance Support Center was established at the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S.A. (Military Aviation Works No. 1, WZL-1) in Łódź, which is responsible for coordinating technical servicing, maintenance, and repairs of the AW101 helicopters, as well as ensuring the continuation of factory technical assistance for 10 years. The center also handles technical maintenance at the O (Organizational Level) and I (Intermediate Level), as well as performing Depot Level maintenance for the helicopter’s acoustic system, signaling system, and hydroacoustic buoy system. Additionally, the center focuses on acquiring technology and know-how for the removal and application of coatings on the AW101 helicopter, as well as technology and know-how for balancing the helicopter through domestic industry. In addition to WZL-1, offset projects were also directed to the Maritime Military Technologies Center at the Gdańsk University of Technology.
The final assembly of all four helicopters was carried out at Leonardo’s facilities in Yeovil, UK. The technical flight of the first helicopter took place in July 2021, and the subsequent units were completed and flown by the end of 2022. Interestingly, the entire testing and certification cycle for the selected configuration involved 700 flight hours—this is particularly noteworthy, especially considering that these are serial machines with only equipment configuration changes applied.
Despite earlier announcements, crew training and achieving operational readiness will only take place in 2025
The purchase of the AW101 was a consequence of the cancellation of a project in which the Ministry of National Defense planned to acquire 50 multi-role Airbus H225M helicopters – some of which were to be delivered to Darłowo (eight in the anti-submarine warfare configuration and some for combat search and rescue CSAR). Interestingly, the AW101 order has been shrouded in mystery, which still persists today – despite the formal delivery of the first units in December 2023, details about their equipment configuration or the missions they perform remain unclear.
What is known for sure is that the engines are General Electric CT7-8E, and Poland also purchased Thales FLASH Sonic hydroacoustic sets. In both cases, this information was made public by the manufacturers themselves. Additionally, the Armament Agency, in its statements, vaguely mentioned that the equipment includes: a SAR mode autopilot, a Link 16 data transmission system, a tactical navigation system, as well as passive and active protection and defense systems. Furthermore, the helicopters were equipped with an expanded tactical communication set, a maritime surveillance radar, a direction finder (DF), an optoelectronic observation head, a searchlight, and an S-band transponder. The helicopters were also equipped with two winches and an external load-carrying system, emergency flotation devices, life rafts, and a cold climate survival kit.
The pilots’ cockpit represents a completely different standard of operation compared to what pilots were used to on the Mi-14PŁ or PŁ/R, among others
Unfortunately, the user and the Armament Agency have still not clarified the issue of the helicopters’ armament. It is known that they are adapted to carry and deploy lightweight 324 mm anti-submarine warfare torpedoes. So far, the standard weapon in the Naval Aviation Brigade has been the EuroTorp MU90 Impact, but there is no official information regarding the user’s choice, although nothing indicates the purchase of a different type of torpedo. An even greater mystery remains the choice of the 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, which is to be mounted in the cargo cabin and enable fire to be directed through the open side doors, for example, during CSAR missions. The lack of any photographic materials may suggest that the weapon has not yet been delivered, which in turn prevents training in the country. Additionally, it is difficult to determine how the type was selected. Perhaps the user decided (following the example of the AW149 purchase for the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade) on a ready-made solution in the form of the standard (for the AW101) FN Herstal M3M 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
Another unknown is the CSAR module. In this case, the helicopters are expected to be capable of conducting combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions, which differ from peaceful/civilian SAR. To effectively perform the latter function, the AW101 should be equipped with specialized medical equipment, including, among other things, a permanent station with a ventilator or a system for heating bodily fluids. Additionally, there is no information about the purchase of rescue baskets along with the helicopters or about lining the cargo cabin with rubber mats, which could protect the floor structure from the effects of seawater that may flood the interior when evacuating casualties.
Although the helicopters are already in Darłowo, many details of their equipment remain undisclosed
As is known, the training of Polish crews began in 2021. According to the General Command of the Armed Forces, in May 2023, it was planned to have four full crews by the end of 2023, who, with instructor qualifications, would conduct training for additional personnel in the country. Interestingly, none of the presented photos show visible rescue personnel who could be lowered via winches onto the decks of naval vessels or the ground. Furthermore, an analysis of publicly available sources suggests that the readiness level of the helicopters may be low – it is hard to record a day when more than one helicopter would be airborne. As the Naval Aviation Brigade informs, achieving operational capability and completing the training is planned for 2025.
Will the operational experience of the first four helicopters lead to continued purchases? This is a question for 2025, the year in which the last Mi-14s in Darłowo are set to be retired. It is hard to imagine that a base, which has seen significant financial investment in recent years, would become home to only four new helicopters.