Delivery first Polish Merlin

On 7 August 2023, the first Leonardo AW101 Merlin maritime helicopter for the Lotnictwo Marynarki Wojennej (LMW, Polish Navy) was delivered to Poland. The AW101, still registered ZR288 (c/n 50288), made a fuel stop at Rotterdam-The Hague airport.

Originally the Polish Navy planned to acquire eight AW101s to replace its ageing Mi-14 helicopters currently operated by the 44 Baza Lotnictwa Morskiego (44.BLotM) at Darłowo air base. This number was reduced to four in 2018, postponing the purchase of the other four.

It is expected that all four Merlins wil be delivered this year.

Photo by Gideon van Dijk