Airbus Helicopters confirms decision of the Polish Defence Ministry to pre-select the H225M Caracal.

"We are now preparing ourselves for the next steps of the tender process, cooperating during this test period to answer all requests and questions from the Polish armed forces, and further demonstrate that the Caracal matches all criteria of the tender and their operational needs," said Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus Helicopters said earlier this year that if it won the chopper tender it would set up a helicopter assembly line and a manufacturing centre for key helicopter parts in Poland's industrial hub of Lodz.

The H225M Caracal is a long-range tactical transport helicopter designed, developed and manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. The H225M was developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a specialist helicopter for Combat Search & Rescue operations after the AS 532 A2 Cougar model was rejected for this purpose following extensive trials between 1996 and 1999.

Currently operated by the military forces of France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, the H225M Caracal has demonstrated its reliability in various crisis areas including Lebanon, Afghanistan and Mali, while also supporting France’s role during NATO-led operations in Libya.