MARIGNANE, France, April 5 (UPI) -- Eurocopter and Turbomeca of France plan to assemble military helicopters and engines in Poland.
An agreement to create assembly lines the EC725 Caracal and one for Turbomeca's Makila 2 engines was recently signed with Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze No. 1 of Poland.
Poland's government has put out a tender to acquire 70 multi-role helicopters and Eurocopter is among the bidders.
"The agreement brings together the resources of rotorcraft manufacturer Eurocopter, engine manufacturer Turbomeca and WZL-1, ensuring a comprehensive in-country industrial work package that also includes training for locally hired workers, along with a comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul capability that will last far beyond the duration of the contract itself -- and potentially be open to future export contracts," Eurocopter said.
The EC725, originally developed for the French air force, is a long-range tactical transport. It has a maximum speed of 201 miles per hour, a range of 533 miles per hour, and can be configured for missions such as search-and-rescue missions and casualty evacuation.
