Poland to buy Hellfire missiles from US

Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has said Poland has signed contracts for the purchase of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles to arm its AW149 multi-role helicopters.

The missiles will also be installed on Apache Guardian attack helicopters, which Poland intends to purchase, the Polish media outlet The First News quotes the minister as saying.

An air-to-ground missile, the Hellfire has anti-armour capabilities or can be used for precision drone strikes. It has been used in combat by the British Army and both the US and Israeli air forces.

The first AW149s helicopters will be delivered to the Polish Air Force's 25th Air Cavalry Brigade before the end of the year.

The helicopters and missiles are produced by the PSL Swidnik arms plant in southeastern Poland.

Last year, Poland had said it intended to buy 96 US-made AH-64 Apache helicopters. The delivery date has not yet been set as the deal needs the consent of the US Congress.

The AW149s will be used to transport and support infantry units and to take part in search and rescue missions.

The AGM-114 Hellfire is an American air-to-ground guided anti-tank missile, launched from an enclosed position without direct visual contact with the target. It is guided by a laser or other systems towards the target. Used from helicopters (AH-64 Apache), aircraft, drones (Northrop Grumman MQ-8), and ground vehicles (HMMWV).