Industry team bids H145M training and battlefield helicopter to Poland

While being pitched to Poland as a training platform, the H145M has a potent light attack capability that could also be utilised. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

An industry team comprising Airbus, Babcock, and CAE is pitching the H145M training and battlefield helicopter to Poland.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 15 May saw the three companies agree to team in the provision of pilot training for the Polish armed forces as part of a wider revamp of the country's helicopter capabilities.

Under the terms of the MOU, Airbus is will lead the design and build of the H145Ms, Babcock is to deliver the training, and CAE is to provide simulator capabilities.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) is looking to acquire 24 new helicopters and their associated simulators and training services to replace a similar number of PZL SW-4 Puszczyk helicopters.

Airbus Helicopters told Janes that the MND would own the H145Ms, although it noted that no type selection had yet been made. Other parties expected to have responded to Poland's requirement include Leonardo with its AW119Kx Koala and Bell with its 505 JetRanger X. The new training helicopters will be operated out of the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin.

The H145M is the military version of the H145 civil helicopter. Although being pitched for Poland's training requirement, it has a secondary battlefield support role and can be used for missions such as troop insertion/exfiltration, reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, and light attack.