Aviation News – After nearly forty years in operation, the Polish Navy will officially retire its venerable Mil Mi-14 “Haze” helicopters on August 31, 2025, marking the end of a long chapter in maritime aviation history.
Introduced in the early 1980s, these amphibious anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search-and-rescue (SAR) workhorses have served as a backbone of Poland’s naval air arm.To maintain operational readiness in recent years, the Polish Ministry of Defense carried out a life-extension program for select Mi-14s, including eight ASW variants (Mi-14PŁ) and two SAR variants (Mi-14PŁ/R). The upgrades included new avionics, NATO-compliant navigation systems, and extended overhaul cycles, allowing the helicopters to remain in service until their planned retirement.
The Mi-14’s successor is already arriving. Under a 2019 contract, Poland ordered four AW101 “Merlin” helicopters from Leonardo (PZL-Świdnik) for combined ASW and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. Deliveries began in December 2023, with three already stationed at the Darłowo base and the final aircraft expected in early 2024.The retirement of the Mi-14 fleet will close a notable chapter in Polish maritime aviation, as the AW101s take over duties with advanced technology, greater range, and enhanced mission flexibility.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
