The helicopters, produced by Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec, were part of a negotiation process launched in 2023 under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government. General Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, said, “We have decided to change the priorities of the helicopter programs… to better adapt to the challenges of future warfare.”
According to General Kukuła, the Polish military will now focus on acquiring training and combat helicopters, a versatile naval carrier helicopter, and a heavy transport helicopter. The shift aims to align procurement with the strategic demands of modern military operations.
Polish media had previously reported that the Black Hawk deal had been cancelled, but the Defence Ministry clarified it has only been postponed. Lockheed Martin, in a statement on Friday, said it “looks forward to continuing its long-standing partnership with Poland,” highlighting the 1,700 PZL Mielec employees involved in manufacturing F-16s and Black Hawks.
Grzegorz Polak, spokesperson for Poland’s Armament Agency, confirmed the reprioritisation, citing changes in the geopolitical landscape. “Some correction was needed regarding priorities in light of the geopolitical situation and state security interests,” he told Reuters.
Polak added that alternative defence assets may be considered in place of the helicopters. “Maybe it is necessary to acquire other equipment in its (helicopters’) place such as drones, or tanks, or some kind of communication,” he said, emphasising that his agency does not set procurement priorities.
