The Polish GROM special forces unit received four S-70i Black Hawk helicopters in an official handover ceremony at the 1st Air Base in Warsaw on 20 December.
Poland’s GROM special forces unit received four S-70i Black Hawk helicopters in an official handover ceremony at the 1st Air Base in Warsaw on 20 December. (Polish MND)
The S-70i helicopters were manufactured in Poland by Lockheed Martin Sikorsky subsidiary Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL) Mielec. Each Black Hawk costs PLN75 million (USD20 million), including special forces equipment, according to Poland’s Ministry of National Defence (MND).
“I know that the GROM special unit requires twice as many new helicopters, but I hope we will be able to complete them soon,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said at the ceremony.
The first Polish Black Hawks were delivered in basic configuration and will be updated to the special forces standard. This includes integration of electro-optical and infrared surveillance sensors.
The helicopters are armed with two 7.62 mm Dillon Aero M134D Miniguns and two 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3M heavy machine guns.
Up until now all five Polish special units have been transported by the 7th Special Forces Aviation Squadron equipped with eight Mi-17 helicopters.
The four S-70i helicopters are to be used by the newly formed GROM aviation squadron, which is to be based at the 22nd Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki, an integral part of the unit, giving it independent air transport and close support.
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