Published: Sept. 5, 2013 at 1:26 PM

WARSAW, Poland, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Italy's Alenia Aermacchi and AgustaWestland subsidiary PZL-widnik SA are expanding their Polish business networks as they pursue Polish military contracts.

Alenia Aermacchi, seeking a Polish Ministry of Defense contract to supply jet trainers, has signed a series of agreements with the Polish aerospace companies for joint development of technologies, production of advanced materials, logistic support, production of equipment and servicing and maintenance activities.

PZL-widnik SA, meanwhile, has signed Memorandums of Understanding with 19 other Polish companies for systems and services for a locally manufactured and Polish configured AW149 military helicopters.

"We have signed MoU's with 19 leading Polish players, including companies and research centers," said Mieczysaw Majewski, president of the Management Board of PZL-widnik SA. "Negotiations are under way with further potential partners.

"The AW149 Polish Industrial Team provides clear evidence of our commitment to offering the Polish armed forces the most advanced Polish-made solution to meet their future requirements."

Poland's military is seeking to procure 70 multi-role helicopters.

The AgustaWestland AW149 that PZL-widnik is offering to Poland is a medium-lift aircraft with a cruise speed of 173 miles per hour. It can carry 12 fully equipped combat troops or nearly 6,000 pounds of cargo.

PZL-Swidnik collaborated with AgustaWestland in the aircraft's development.

For Poland's new fleet of jet trainers, Alenia Aermacchi is offering its twin-seat M-346 advanced jet trainer, which is based on the Yak-130 subsonic trainer/light attack jet developed with Russia's Yakovlev as a joint venture. It has a top speed of 652 mph. It is also able to replicate the characteristics of several fourth-generation fighters.

Excerpt from:

Aerospace firms expand supply, services networks in Poland