Kraków 2021-12-04
Mi-24 in Poland.
In 2015, the Polish Mi-24 helicopters lost their combat capabilities. The supply of guided missiles has run out. Only unguided missiles and barrel ammunition remained in the armament. The problem is serious, because according to the state in Poland there were 34 examples of Mi-24 D and 17 examples of Mi-24 W. Currently (2021) we have 30 examples. Our land forces have at their disposal: Mi-24 W, which are stationed at the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław, and Mi-24 D, which are stationed at the 49th Air Base in Pruszcz Gdański.
The Polish Mi-24 D and W helicopters differed from each other in the anti-tank armament systems. The Mi-24 D machines were equipped with the 9M17P Skorpion missiles with a range of up to 3,000 m, and the Mi-24 W with the 9K114 Szturm-W (Kokon) missiles with a range of up to 5,000 m. and 80 mm unguided missiles and a 12.7 mm large-caliber machine gun. Polish Mi-24 helicopters took an active part in the war in Afghanistan.
Until now, the following modernizations of the Polish Mi-24 helicopters have been carried out; The helicopters were adapted for use by the crew of night vision goggles by properly illuminating the instrument panel and modernizing the external lighting. Equipment for the rapid landing of an assault team has been installed. Assembly of the NATO standard radio navigation and landing system (VOR / TACAN / ILS). Installation of GPS satellite navigation. Installation of a flight data recorder with quick access (S2-3a and OAZ by ITWL). Building an integrated communication system using four HF-VHF-UHF radio stations. Replacing engines with TW3-117WMA-SBM1W.
For several years now, what to do next? Either buying new helicopters or modernizing existing Mi-24 helicopters. It is important that the possible modernization should be performed by Polish plants. By February 8, 2019, companies interested in the modernization of 30 Polish Mi-24 D and Mi-24 W helicopters applied for a technical dialogue, which was announced by the Armament Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defense. The military talked with companies about modification packages for weapons, communications, security, identification, electronic warfare and navigation systems.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the discussion is a plan "B" in the event of further problems with the ongoing program "Kruk". Final decisions have not been made yet.
If the Polish Army wants to keep the Mi-24 helicopters in service, in the first stage, the airframes should be inspected and repaired and maintained. In the second stage, the equipment and armaments should be thoroughly modernized. It would be necessary to introduce a digital weapon management system, use an optoelectronic warhead, and a new system of offensive and defensive weapons. For some time now, Polish companies have presented their proposals at the MSPO fair in Kielce. It is possible that foreign companies may join the work.
Tally Mi-24.
Mil Mi-24 D:
Mi-24 D nb 13 No. A1013, manufactured on 04-07-1978, served in the 37th PŚT, 49th PŚB. Withdrawn in 2000. Exhibit at the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw.
Mi-24 D nb 14 No. A1014, manufactured on July 16, 1978, served in the 37th PŚT, 49th PŚB. Canceled in 1988.
Mi-24 D nb 15 no. A1015, manufactured on July 10, 1978, served in the 37th PŚT, 49th PŚB. Withdrawn in 2002.
Mi-24 D nb 16 No. A1016, manufactured on July 10, 1978, served in the 37th PŚT, 49th PŚB.
Mi-24 D nb 156 No. 110156, manufactured on April 16, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 163 No. 110163, produced on May 20, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 167 No. 110167, produced on June 19, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 169 No. 110169, manufactured on July 17, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 170 No. 110170, manufactured on June 23, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 174 No. 130174, produced on July 22, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1981, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 175 No. 130175, manufactured on August 18, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1981, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 176 No. 130176, produced on August 8, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1981, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 176 No. 130176, produced on August 8, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1981, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 177 No. 130177, manufactured on August 16, 1981, delivered to Poland in 1981, served in the 49th PŚB.
Mi-24 D nb 208 No. 730208, manufactured on March 26, 1982, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 209 No. 730209, manufactured on April 6, 1982, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 210 No. 730210, manufactured on 09-04-1982, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 211 No. 730211, manufactured on 09-04-1982, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 213 No. 730213, manufactured on April 17, 1982, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 269 No. 340269, produced on May 19, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL. Withdrawn in 2003.
Mi-24 D nb 270 No. 340270, manufactured on April 15, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 271 No. 340271, manufactured on April 15, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 272 No. 340272, manufactured on April 19, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 276 No. 340276, manufactured on May 19, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 277 No. 340277, manufactured on May 19, 1983, delivered to Poland in 1996, served in the 49th PŚB.
Mi-24 D nb 456 No. 410456, manufactured on September 22, 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 457 No. 410457, manufactured on September 22, 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 458 No. 410458, produced on September 16, 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL. On July 11, 1990, he had an accident.
Mi-24 D nb 459 No. 410459, produced on September 12, 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 460 No. 410460, manufactured on October 24, 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 461 No. 410461, produced on October 18-1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 469 No. 410469, manufactured in 1984, delivered to Poland in 1984, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 D nb 584 No. 220584, manufactured in 1985, delivered to Poland in 1985, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL. Withdrawn in 2009.
Mi-24 D nb 585 No. 220585, manufactured in 1985, delivered to Poland in 1985, served in the 49th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mil Mi-24W:
Mi-24 W nb 956 No. 340956, delivered to Poland in 1991, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 727 No. 410727, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 728 No. 410728, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 729 No. 410729, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 730 No. 410730, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 731 No. 410731, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 732 No. 410732, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 733 No. 410733, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 734 No. 410734, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 735 No. 410735, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 736 No. 410736, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 737 No. 410737, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 738 No. 410738, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 739 No. 410739, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 740 No. 410740, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 741 No. 410741, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL.
Mi-24 W nb 742 No. 410742, delivered to Poland in 1986, served in the 56th PŚB, 1st BLWL. Withdrawn in 2009.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman