Key role for PZL Mielec in Sikorski's new plans

The PZL Mielec factory will handle the production of a brand new chopper, the International Black Hawk (IBH), and it will also supply components to all other choppers produced by the company, as well as handle post-sales service and maintenance. Other domestic producers involved in the project will be Warsaw aviation institute and producer of components for engines WSK Rzeszów. Bruce McKinney, deputy president of Sikorsky Europe, said that the plans of accelerating the project of producing IBH in Mielec has no relation to the tender of the Polish government for 100 choppers for the army and the Interior Ministry, which is worth around $3.5 billion. "The first UH 60 M Black Hawk chassis will leave the assembly line next year," said Janusz Zakręcki, president of PZL Mielec. He went on to say that the plant has a contract for delivering 48 chassis per annum. "This is a long-term contract worth a several hundred million złoty," said the CEO. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. B1, B4) M.M.