PZL Mielec has begun production of the first Sikorsky S‑70 FireHawk helicopters built for a European operator. The aircraft are being manufactured for the Czech Republic Ministry of the Interior under a partnership between PZL Mielec, Česká letecká servisní (ČLS), a Helicopter Alliance company, and United Rotorcraft.

The FireHawk, a purpose-built firefighting variant of the Black Hawk, will allow the Czech Republic to fly rapid, all-weather suppression missions from its home base. Through the European Commission's RescEU programme, the aircraft will also form part of a shared pool available for cross-border deployment to neighbouring countries facing wildfire, flood or earthquake emergencies.

Each FireHawk carries a 1,000-gallon water tank, a retractable snorkel, twin engines and night-vision capability. United Rotorcraft will integrate the firefighting kit, water tanks and search-and-rescue equipment, and will provide crew training and long-term sustainment, mirroring the operational setup used by US agencies including CAL FIRE and the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.

Dennis Goege, vice president and chief executive for Europe, Lockheed Martin, says: “This production start is more than a manufacturing milestone; it is the first concrete step toward a continent-wide, modern aerial firefighting network.” Monika Kowalczykova, chief executive officer of Česká letecká servisní, adds: “The Czech Republic is not merely buying helicopters; it is pioneering Europe's first operational FireHawk capability.”

The airframes are assembled at PZL Mielec's Poland facility, supported by more than 1,200 local suppliers and sustaining around 5,000 jobs across the EU. United Rotorcraft is sending a team to the Czech Republic to fit the mission equipment ahead of entry into service.