PZL – Świdnik SA, an AgustaWestland company, is pleased to announce that the first four Sokol helicopters for the Philippine Air Force, produced in Swidnik, departed Poland Monday morning, February 13, at the start of their delivery to Manila, in the Philippines. They are the first batch of Sokols to be delivered following a contract that was signed between PZL – Świdnik SA and Philippine Air Forces in 2010.
The four helicopters were transported from Jasionka Airport, near Rzeszow, onboard an Antonov An-124 Ruslan, one of the biggest transport planes in the world. With one stop-over, the Antonov transport plane is scheduled to reach Manila on Tuesday. The delivery flight marks the completion of the first part of the contract, which includes eight aircraft plus training and support.
PZL – Świdnik is Poland’s only helicopter manufacturer with the full capability to design, develop, manufacture and support its products in country. PZL-Świdnik with 3,500 employees is also the biggest aerospace manufacturer in Poland and one of the biggest employers in South East Poland. Its military helicopter range includes the Sokol helicopter, including Gluszec version, the smaller single engine SW-4 Puszczyk and the new generation 8-tonne class multi-purpose AW149 helicopter.
