Boeing-led team seeks Polish partners in helo contract bid

Boeing and four other U.S. companies are seeking to collaborate with Polish industry in a bid supply AH-64E attack helicopters to Poland's military.

Boeing and its partners in the bid -- General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Longbow Ltd. -- met with 10 Polish companies in a two-day workshop in Poland over possible collaboration on the bid, as well as other opportunities in the country's military modernization program.

The 10 companies were members of Polish Armaments Group, or PGZ. They were provided with overviews of the AH-64E Apache and briefed on Boeing's global approach to research and technology and possible collaboration projects with each of the Apache team members.

PGZ is composed of more than 60 companies in the manufacturing and services sector.

"We are focused on comprehensive engagement with PGZ and its companies to enhance Poland's defense industry, create jobs and meet Poland's national security needs," said Phil Schneider, director of International Strategic Partnerships for Defense, Space and Security. "Polish industry's strong track record of innovation offers opportunities to expand our industrial relationships and find new ways to put the expertise of the Apache team to work for the benefit of Poland."

"PGZ welcomes this opportunity to present to Boeing the capabilities and skills of our companies," said Wojciech Dąbrowski, president of the Management Board of Polish Armaments Group. "We are the leading manufacturer of equipment for the Polish armed forces and our companies possess unique skills and technology that can benefit Boeing and Team Apache."