Lockheed hopeful of Armed Black Hawk deal for Polish Army amid increased defence spending
All S-70i and UH-60M Black Hawks have structural reinforcement to support conversion to an Armed version. (Photo: Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky)
The Polish government is significantly increasing its defence budget and looks to grow its armed forces in an efforts to counter Russia’s perceived threat. Under these plans, there is place for Armed Black Hawk attack helicopters next to the AW149s and Apaches.
Polskie Zakłady Lotniczy (PZL) Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company which domestically builds helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, is hoping to receive an invitation for negotiations to provide Black Hawks to the Polish Army.
Talking to reporters during a PZL Mielec facility visit, company representatives said the Polish government requested a notional configuration schedule of the Armed Black Hawks which it received at the end of last year.
Nothing is yet confirmed, but Lockheed Martin is confident the Black Hawk can fit the Polish Armed Forces’ needs despite its other commitments.
Warsaw signed a $150 million deal earlier this year for 800
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms]()
US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms
As the US continues to invest heavily in counter-drone systems, demand for low-cost, mobile and autonomous technologies is on the rise, with Edda designed to align with these emerging requirements.
-
![New E-3 and T-38 awards expose US Air Force legacy fleet dependence]()
New E-3 and T-38 awards expose US Air Force legacy fleet dependence
Contracts for E-3 aircrew training through August 2029 and supplies for the T-38 engine until December 2028 reflect issues with replacement and retirement plans across the USAF inventory.
-
![USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades]()
USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades
The US Marine Corps is testing a redesigned input quill assembly and plans to transition its MV-22B fleet to improved gearboxes by January 2033 as it prepares to operate the tiltrotor through 2055.
-
![Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon]()
Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon
Sweden is an outlier as a smaller nation with its own indigenous fighter aircraft and airborne early warning platform and is now looking at how local company Saab Aerospace can meet the plans for a collaborative combat aircraft.
