The four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift Black Hawk helicopter is to be manufactured in Poland for the first time. This military aircraft has historically been produced in the US.

Sikorsky Aircraft, the US military contractor who created the original Black Hawk, purchased a Polish factory 2007. At the time, this factory was in a derelict condition, but afteran extensive overhaul, the factory rolled out the first combat helicopter. Within two years, the restored factory is expected to produce 20 helicopters annually. Black Hawks S-70i cost between £8 and £11 million pounds. It will be offered to the market after trials have been complete.

There are currently 2000 people employed at PZL Mielec, while Sikorsky employed some 17 000 people worldwide.

The Black Hawk is a military workhorse used by the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq. It has been sold to other countries and is also used in civilian rescue missions. Sikorsky also produces SH-60 or the Seahawk, as well as experimental types like the Sikorsky S-72 X-Wing. Sikorsky has supplied the helicopter for the President of the United States since 1957.