Leonardo subsidiary PZL-Swidnik revealed details of its offer for the Polish Armed Forces' multirole medium helicopter requirement in Warsaw on 16 September. Jacek Libucha, president of PZL-Swidnik's management board, said the AW139 is being offered for the requirement, which will replace the W-3 Sokol rotor-craft family that was produced in Swidnik. The offer involves the 'Polonisa-tion' of production of the future AW139W, which would be manufactured in Poland, including its PT6 engines. Swidnik would take over design authority to allow the integration of Polish-made weapon systems, such as heavy machine guns from Zaklady Mechaniczne Tarnow and Spike anti-tank guided missiles delivered by MESKO. The final step of AW139 'Polonisation' would be the delivery of unspecified computer systems developed by Poland's Insty-tut Techniczny Wojsk Ladowych (Air Force Institute of Technology). Libucha estimated the Polish armed forces' future requirement at 250-300 rotorcraft of various types, some of which could be replaced by unmanned aerial vehicles but still leaving a requirement of up to 250 medium helicopters. PZL-Swidnik is prepared to launch production of 8-10 helicopters per year within 24 months of contract signing, plus 12 months if Polish-made computer systems are installed. The Polish manufacturer needs PLN500 million (USD127 million) to start production, according to Libucha.
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