We are working on obtaining a new contract for AW-101 helicopters, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced at the PZL-Świdnik aviation plant. He added that there would be about 20 of them.
The head of government announced that another 500 people were employed at the Świdnik factory.
Because one after another we make successive contracts and subsequent orders for the Polish army
– added.
This is both a stronger army and new jobs – two in one
– he pointed out.
Thank you for working out this great contract for the AW-149 as there will be 32
– said the Prime Minister, who stood in front of one of the helicopters.
We also want and are working to ensure that there will be new orders, a large, new contract for the AW-101
— he inquired and indicated that it would be 20-21 pieces.
I will do everything I can to conclude this contract. This is extremely important. The Polish army needs multi-role helicopters such as the 149
– added.
“We invest in our helicopters
We have done things completely differently than our predecessors. We invest in our helicopters, which are manufactured here with the best specialists and manufacturers from all over the world. Americans, Italians, British, just like here in Świdnik
– he pointed out.
He criticized the governments of PiS’s predecessors, which, according to Morawiecki, did not do everything to build the strength of Poland’s arms factories.
The governments of our predecessors were completely different. Perhaps this is why Mrs Merkel praised Tusk for pursuing such a loyal policy towards Russia – as we have recently seen in the media – but it was an absolutely wrong policy.
– he said.
Speaking about the PiS government’s approach to armaments, he said that “weapons must be effective, modern and as Polish as possible, wherever they can be Polish.”
Referring to the reconstruction of the Polish army, he recalled that a few years ago Poland had 95,000 men. soldiers, and today – more than 170 thousand.
Today, the production of our weapons factories cannot keep up with orders. During the time of PO, arms production was liquidated and employees were fired
– said Morawiecki.
Speaking about the dam on the Polish-Belarusian border, he said it was built to protect the residents of the Lublin region, Podlasie, Mazovia and all of Poland.
We are doing this primarily to distance ourselves from this terrible, insane defense doctrine on the Vistula Line
– he noted, adding that “today we must rebuild our military presence here and that is what we are doing.”
The Leonardo Group, to which PZL-Świdnik belongs, is active in the aviation, space and security sectors. It is, among other things, a manufacturer of AW-101 and AW-149 helicopters.
In 2019, the head of the Ministry of National Defense signed a contract for the supply of four AW-101 helicopters for the Navy. These are anti-submarine helicopters; they are also equipped with medical equipment and adapted to search and rescue missions. They are expected to be put into service in the fall of this year.
However, in July this year, the Ministry of Defense purchased 32 AW-149 multi-purpose helicopters.
tkwl/PAP
READ ALSO:
— Public military investments. Head of the Ministry of Defense: If PiS wins the elections, we will have the strongest land forces in Europe within two years
– OUR INTERVIEW. Żurawski vel Grajewski on PO’s plans: state security was ignored. An army was created that was not allowed to function
Source: wPolityce