Poland contracted for 32 AW149 medium twin-engine multirole helicopters in 2023 to replace aging Mi-8/17 Soviet-origin utility helicopters in Polish Army service. The AW149 is powered by two GE CT7-2E1 turboshaft engines (2,000 shp each), carries 18 troops or equivalent cargo, and achieves 290 km/h maximum speed with 800+ km range. The Western-standard avionics suite is NVG-compatible and NATO C2 interoperable. The aircraft will serve in troop transport, CASEVAC, and combat search-and-rescue roles. The transition from Russian-origin Mi-8/17 logistics to an Italian-Western support chain is a deliberate strategic choice as Poland decouples from Soviet-era equipment.
![Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica) logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="18" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">LEONARDO</text></svg>)
- Modern Western platform replacing aging Mi-8/17 Soviet-origin helicopters
- Large 18-troop cabin capacity for airmobile assault and CASEVAC
- NATO-interoperable avionics and communications from day one
- NVG-compatible cockpit for night operations without modification
- No armed attack variant in Polish configuration — utility only
- Higher operating cost than Mi-17 series per flight hour
- New Western logistics chain requires entire new support infrastructure build-up
- Delivery timeline stretched across several years
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