Sikorsky threatens withdrawal from helicopter tender

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC) is threatening to withdraw from Poland’s PLN 8 billion tender for 70 military helicopters. Mick Maurer, the chief executive of the defense group, has sent a letter to President Bronisław Komorowski, saying the company would not file its offer unless the conditions are modified. “It is the Ministry of Defense that defines what the armed forces need and not the bidders who point to what they can sell,” the ministry's press officer Jacek Sońta told Dziennik Gazeta Prawna in a comment to the letter. “The final requirements for the multi-task helicopter were known since May and SAC has helicopters that meet those requirements,” he said. “So we are counting on them placing an offer.” The deadline for offers in the tender announced earlier this year by the Polish Ministry of Defense is November 28. There are two other participants in the tender – French Airbus Helicopters and Agusta Westland PZL Świdnik.