Poland begins AW101 Merlin helicopter induction as final delivery approaches
The Polish AW101 Merlin helicopters will be assigned to anti-submarine roles. (Photo: Polish MoD)
The Polish Navy has initiated the induction of its first Leonardo AW101 Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopter, with three aircraft stationed at the Naval Aviation Brigade air base and a fourth undergoing Polish system modifications.
Poland has begun the induction of the first of four Leonardo AW101 Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters, the country’s navy and the General Command of Armed Forces announced on 8 December.
Three of the helicopters have arrived at the Naval Aviation Brigade air base in Darłowo, with the fourth currently being fitted out with Polish system requirements at PZL-Świdnik, the navy and the joint command said. As Shephard reported recently, all four helicopters are expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
Poland signed a contract for four AW101 helicopters for US$430 million in April 2019. Originally, the Polish Navy planned to acquire eight AW101s to replace its ageing Mi-14 helicopters currently operated from Darłowo air base. This number was reduced to four, postponing the purchase of the other four.
Related Articles
Poland receives first AW101 anti-submarine helicopter
The Merlin helicopters will be assigned to anti-submarine roles. When Poland decided to purchase a new platform, however, the country sought a multi-role helicopter. The AW101s will also be equipped with combat search and rescue (CSAR) module, which means that they will be able to perform search and rescue missions.
The AW101 has been outfitted with a low-workload, NVG-compatible glass cockpit and fully integrated communications, navigation, avionics, and flight and mission management systems.
With the largest cabin in its class, the AW101 can carry up to 30 passengers and arranged in a variety of configurations.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme]()
UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme
At the G20 summit in Brazil, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a nod given to potentially widening the participation out to other countries.
-
![US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets]()
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
-
![Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped]()
Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped
BAE Systems Air business has reaffirmed its commitment to the Typhoon programme as union representatives from the company urge the UK government to order 24 Typhoon jets.
-
![German Armed Forces receive first of 82 H145M helicopters]()
German Armed Forces receive first of 82 H145M helicopters
The H145s have been named “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (light combat helicopter), or LKH for short, by the German Armed Forces.
-
![US Air Force aiming to have CCA operational by end of the decade]()
US Air Force aiming to have CCA operational by end of the decade
By making “tough choices”, the US Air Force’s CCA programme has continued to move forward with Increment 2 on the horizon.
