Poland is evaluating a plan to upgrade 20 Mil Mi-24s with new avionics and weapon systems to close the capability gap created by scrapping the PSL Swidnik Huzar attack helicopter programme in December 1998.
The Polish Government dropped a contract with an Israeli Elbit-led consortium for the supply of avionics and weapons to upgrade 100 PZL Swidnik W-3 Sokol helicopters to the Huzar configuration. The deal was signed in controversial circumstances just days before the previous government left office.
Since then, the Polish Ministry of Defence has evaluated alternatives, including the purchase of a new Western helicopter.
No final decision has been taken on how to proceed, but a stopgap solution has emerged to upgrade the Mi-24.
The proposal is to upgrade at least 20 Polish army Mi-24s with advanced avionics and weapon systems .The Tamam division of Israel Aircraft Industries has offered the avionics and Rafael its NT-D anti-tank missile. PZL would act as the main contractor.
Source: Flight International
