Poland’s newly appointed defence minister, Antoni Macierewicz, has raised fresh doubts about Warsaw’s proposed acquisition of 50 Airbus Helicopters H225M rotorcraft for its armed forces.
The 11t Caracal was chosen for a tri-service requirement by the nation’s previous government in April and negotiations with the manufacturer had been progressing prior to the change of administration following October elections.
However, speaking during a meeting of the parliamentary defence committee on 25 November, Macierewicz – a long-standing critic of the H225M’s selection – again raised the prospect of re-opening the contest.
Airbus Helicopters had previously gained approval from Poland’s defence ministry for the deal, with contract talks shifting to the ministry of economy in order to hammer out offset details.
Macierewicz says he will only approve the deal if the offset is sufficiently compelling.
He says: “The conditions of signing the contract are positive negotiations of the offset agreement. We shall see whether they’ll be dealt with in a way which will enable contract signature.“
Bartosz Glowacki
But he again criticised the selection of the H225M despite “shortcomings” and warned that he would re-open the contest if Airbus Helicopters did not offer enough work to Polish industry.
“That’s why [the defence ministry] will be heading to put out this tender again, if the decision regarding offset means the contract won’t be able to be entered into.”
Companies already manufacturing helicopters in Poland, he says, produce equipment that is “on many levels, sometimes better” than the Caracal.
Airbus Helicopters and engine supplier Turbomeca had both promised to open production facilities in the country for the Caracal and its Makila 2A1 powerplants.
However, Macierewicz has consistently suggested that this would simply remove jobs from existing helicopter manufacturers in the country – Sikorsky-owned PZL Mielec and AgustaWestland subsidiary PZL Świdnik. They had unsuccessfully bid the S-70i Black Hawk/S-70B Seahawk and AW149, respectively.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
