The Polish defence ministry's inspectorate of armament on 22 May opened proposals to participate in technical consultations with three bidders pursuing a 70-helicopter requirement for the nation's armed forces.
AgustaWestland company PZL-Swidnik, a Eurocopter/Heli Invest Services team and the Sikorsky International Operations consortium of Sikorsky and PZL-Mielec are respectively offering the AW149, EC725 and S-70i.
The requirement is for 48 new tactical transports for land forces, 10 search-and-rescue rotorcraft for the air force and two sets of six anti-submarine warfare and maritime SAR aircraft for the navy.
Immediately after concluding technical consultations the next phase of the tender will involve submitting final offers. Tests of the candidate aircraft will follow, before an electronic auction - or negotiation, if only one bidder remains.
Once a winner has been selected aircraft deliveries will start in 2014-2015, and should conclude by 2022.
Source: Flight International
