French chopper - a good choice for Poland?

Poland hasve accepted a French offer to supply the Polish aroces with helicopters, bypassing the Americans in the tender. On the one hand the French offer fulfilled more of Poland's requirements, but on the other -- helicopter factories in Świdnik and Mielec will lose an opportunity to develop and create new Polish jobs? What's your take on this?

Welcome to a hybrid system between value based and politically motivated procurement in a world of increasingly open markets.

Remember, two tenders were awarded, the anti ballistic missile defense (ABM for short) awarded to Raytheon USA and the helicopters awarded to Airbus France.

I say politically motivated because while the chosen ABM is capable and battle proven, in terms of value it is a tough sell against competitors from... Let's just say our Eastern Neighbors, whom were not invited to bid. And the main competitor it had comes from the country which won the other tender so...

I say value based because the Airbus offer met the technical requirements at the lowest price, and comes from a country that belongs to many of the same blocks (EU, NATO, EEA, etc etc etc). So the local competitor (supposedly) failed to achieve the same balance.

By the way, I am stating neither agreement nor disagreement with the choices that were made. Just putting some food for thought and discussion on the table.

There will be considerable offsets from airbus which wil increase Polands aerospace industry, not just helicopters. Helicopters, transport helicopters are not that essential technology. Airbus can offer much more than two helicopter specialists.

An overiding issue must have been to persuade the French to refuse to delivery the two Mistrals, however.

I would expect an order for the AH64 to make up the difference of 20 helicopters from the original plan to buy 70.

One oddity is the ridiculously high price quoted for this order, up to $3 billion.

I have to say, although I would prefera European buy, the Patriots are the best option for Poland. The USA could re-supply quickly and in volumne in case of aggression from the Fascists. It helps that Local support would be avialble for NATOs biggest member in missiles and aircraft. Same principle applies to the German tanks, they could drive to Poland and operate, US tanks would be months away so buying M1 wouldbe pointless.

If we make them within the Union it makes sense to buy our own rather than from a different continent. Shame about Mielec though, however they have just given a vast contract to Raytheon.

The thing is that spares, accessories, rotuine maintenace, repairs and upgrades would probably be more readily accessible, more convenient, less costly and more efficient at a local factory (Mielec or Świdnik) than sending away to France. Just a thought...

As part of the deal there'll doubtless be a French or French-trained team involved. No harm in Mielec being taken over by the French however yes, having a production facility in Poland would make sense.

All support for the helicopters and missiles will be local, it will be part of the deal.

Exactly. As part of at deal on that scale there is support by the supplier provided in situ.