Airbus has recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Babcock and CAE to provide the Polish Air Force with the H145M helicopter along with related training services. This collaboration highlights an important step in modernizing Poland’s military aviation capabilities.
Under the agreement, Airbus is responsible for the platform’s design and manufacturing, while Babcock will focus on delivering training lessons. CAE will take the lead on simulation operations. According to Ludovic Boistot, Airbus Helicopters Eastern Europe Sales Head, “The H145 is the perfect four tonne (8,818-pound) class dual-use helicopter, equipped to perform a wide range of military missions.” These missions include critical functions such as training, disaster relief, search and rescue, special operations, and light attack missions. Boistot emphasized that the helicopter has a proven track record, having been utilized for similar operations by key NATO allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
This collaboration aligns with Warsaw’s strategic objective of replacing its aging PZL SW-4 Świdnik “Tawny Owl” light utility helicopters, which have been in service since the 1990s. The transition to more advanced rotary-wing aircraft is deemed essential for enhancing the operational capabilities of the Polish military.
In addition to Airbus, Italian defense contractor Leonardo has proposed its AW109 Trekker helicopter for the same requirement. The competition for this procurement is expected to be further intensified by an American aerospace company, which is anticipated to submit a tender for its 505 JetRanger X helicopter, recently offered for a next-generation U.S. Army flight school program.
As part of this initiative, a number of the newly acquired aircraft will be stationed at the Polish Air Force University in Deblin. This location will serve as a training hub where aircrews will prepare for the integration of new systems, including the Apache helicopters that are set to join the Polish military fleet in the near future.
The H145M helicopter is engineered as a twin-engine platform that incorporates the advanced Turbomeca Arriel’s 2E technology, with each engine capable of producing 570 horsepower. The helicopter has the capacity to transport up to 10 personnel and can be armed with a variety of weapons, including multi-domain missiles, machine guns, and rockets, making it a versatile option for combat situations.
Furthermore, the aircraft boasts an impressive range of over 660 kilometers (410 miles), can operate at a service ceiling of 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), and achieves a maximum speed of 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour. The H145M has been adopted by various military forces, including those of Cyprus, Germany, Belgium, Brunei, Indonesia, and Ireland.
Marking a significant milestone, the H145M helicopter successfully completed a ballistic development test of the HForce weapon system at Papa Airbase in Hungary in 2017, further demonstrating its capabilities in advanced military applications.
