Polish Air Force modernization is in its final stages
Like the Army and Navy, the Polish Air Force is currently undergoing a major modernization. Old post-Soviet equipment is being phased out. historyAt the same time, the deliveries of modern combat aircraft and helicopters, expected for years, have only just begun, and further procedures are awaiting decisions.
Fighting aviation.
Currently, the Polish Air Force has three fully operational combat squadrons within the 2nd Tactical Aviation Regiment. These are two squadrons equipped with F-16C/D fighters stationed in Krzesiny, Poznań, and one F-16C/D squadron in Łask.
In addition, Poland has one squadron each in Swidwin (Su-22M4) and Malbork (MiG-29S) with obsolete aircraft that have little value in the event of an armed conflict. These aircraft will be retired over the next few years as new F-35As and FA-50s are acquired. The MiG-29Ss will most likely be sent to Ukraine, and the Su-22M4s, as badly worn-out aircraft, will be written off.
FA-50
The 23rd Tactical Air Base (BLT) in Minsk Mazowieckie, which transferred most of its aircraft to Ukraine, is currently in the process of converting the base to new light combat aircraft in the form of the FA-50 GF transition version. Twelve of these aircraft arrived there in the second half of 2023, and so far they have trained numerous aviation personnel (whose number will reach approximately 260 by the end of the year) and a small group of pilots. Some of the necessary infrastructure has also been built, although most of the work associated with basing two FA-50PL squadrons in Minsk Mazowieckie will only be completed in the coming years. The first FA-50 simulator is scheduled to be launched there in early 2025.
Ground crew training continues in Poland, while another group of eight pilots is being sent to the Republic of Korea for training. The first FA-50 squadron should be operational in a few months. The new FA-2025 PL version should start arriving in Poland in November 50. Poland has ordered 36 units, with the GF version also expected to be brought up to this standard in the future. A total of three additional light combat aircraft squadrons will be deployed within the 1st Tactical Aviation Regiment. According to current plans, two of these squadrons will be based at the 3rd Air Base (23BLT) in Mińsk Mazowiecki and one at the 23st Air Base (21BLT) in Świdwin. 21 BLT is expected to become the technical hub for this type of aircraft.
They will differ from the GF version, among other things: the addition of an air-to-air refueling probe, an improved AESA Phantom Strike radar and a wider range of available weapons, including rocket short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder. Poland is also currently looking into integrating the FA-50PL with the medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, for which the Korean company KAI is currently conducting a feasibility study. If approval is granted within 3-5 years, the Poles believe that the FA-50PL should be adapted to carry such missiles already today. Only then can they be considered a fully multi-role aircraft. Previously, it would have been a light tactical fighter designed to engage ground targets and less demanding air targets (drones, cruise missiles, helicopters). It is also possible that the FA-50PL will be integrated with anti-ship missiles, at least such work is currently underway in Korea, where, among other things, a supersonic air-to-surface/sea missile with a range of 300 km is also being developed.
F-35
In August 2024, the first of 32 F-35A Block 4 5th generation combat aircraft ordered in January 2020 was ceremonially rolled out. At that time, there were eight aircraft at various stages of construction at the factories. The completed aircraft was about 90% complete at that time, but by the end of 2024, the Poles should receive a total of two F-35As. Another six should be delivered in 2025, and all eight will initially be used to train the first 24 Polish pilots in the United States at Ebbing Air Force Base. In 2026, F-35s will begin appearing in Poland, with another 14 aircraft to be added. Four aircraft will be delivered to Poland in 2027 and 2028, and the last two in 2029. The first of the two squadrons is expected to reach initial operational capability in 2027, with both squadrons expected to reach full operational capability in 2030. The F-35 units will be based at 32nd Air Base in Lask and 21st Air Base in Swidwin, with major construction currently underway at both bases.
All indications are that in 2030, the Air Force will have two tactical air wings, each with two air bases with three squadrons of 4th generation aircraft (2nd Wing with F-16C/D and 1st Wing with FA-50PL) and one 5th generation (F-35A). Each wing will thus be able to operate independently, and the F-35As will connect each wing together thanks to advanced data exchange systems. The F-35A will be able to operate at maximum range from the enemy thanks to its stealth characteristics. This, combined with modern sensors, can make it possible to provide situational awareness and available targets to three 35th generation squadrons. The F-XNUMX will thus become, as announced from the outset, a capability multiplier not only in weapons, but also on the scale of the entire Air Force.
F-16 modernization
To achieve optimal interoperability with the F-35 (at a level less visible than Link 16), new investments will be required. The first upgrade is an upgrade of the sniper pods to the FA-50, which enables network-centric exchange with 4th and 5th generation fighters.
The second upgrade is the Mid Life Upgrade of the F-16 with the V package. It will also enable such communications. This is, of course, only one of the aspects in which the Jastrzębie's parameters will be improved. Other applications include: a new radar, which will radically increase the combat capabilities of the aircraft, new combat computers, self-defense and electronic warfare systems, and an upgrade of the data display in the cockpit.
In October 2024, the US agreed to such modernization along with a small arms package weapons for a maximum of PLN 7,3 billion. This is a huge amount due to the variety of equipment types to choose from. The real cost will be much lower, but it can still reach USD 4,5 billion - that's how much the Poles have already paid in 2020 for 32 new F-35s.
Two new squadrons
In addition, the issue of purchasing new combat aircraft for two additional squadrons is still under consideration. Currently, three aircraft are being considered in this context: the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-15EX Eagle II or the acquisition of another batch (24 aircraft) of F-35A Lightning II. In the case of the first two aircraft, it is claimed that these will be air superiority aircraft that will ensure dominance over the battlefield and the protection of Polish territory, as well as aircraft of the remaining eight squadrons. It can be added that in the case of the F-15EX, the Polish Air Force would de facto receive a bomber with a payload capacity of up to 15 tons.
It appears that each wing will be given two new air superiority fighter squadrons, symmetrically giving them additional capabilities. However, the Poles seem to be leaning towards a simple solution – simply ordering more F-35As. This makes logistical sense, as Poland will not be adding a fourth type of combat aircraft and will remain with three. The F-35 also has unique capabilities to overcome Defense enemy and can operate more freely in its vicinity to carry out missions. The Polish command has repeatedly emphasized that, first and foremost, they need an aircraft capable of penetrating enemy air defenses. It is also worth adding that the F-35, whether in stealth or beast mode (with numerous external pods), can also successfully achieve air superiority.
At the moment, it is unknown when and whether additional aircraft purchases will be organized.
Special aviation
Poland spends colossal amounts of money on combat aviation. At the same time, very little is done to provide them with support aviation, which is an additional multiplier of their capabilities. Only thanks to the "missile scandal near Bydgoszcz" did the Poles come to the conclusion that it was necessary to purchase the first ever Polish airborne early warning aircraft for their Air Force. Two used Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C Erieye aircraft reached operational readiness in 2024. Poland received them from Sweden for a very symbolic amount of money, and the army is allegedly very happy with them.
However, the Saab 340 is a 1990s aircraft and is theoretically intended to be a transitional solution. Discussions on the feasibility of purchasing additional AWACS aircraft of this class are ongoing. Saab (GlobalEye) and Northrop Grumman (E-2D Advanced Hawkeye) have put forward their proposals.
A major drawback of the Polish military aviation is the lack of its own tanker aircraft. The program currently being implemented is known under the code name Karkonosze. The aircraft should be relatively cheap and increase the capabilities of combat aviation. Thanks to them, as the Polish Air Force leadership assumes, fighters should be in the air for a long time regardless of fuel consumption and are limited only by the physiology of the pilots and the amount of ammunition they have. Tanker aircraft also increase the range of a possible strike deep into the territory of a potential enemy, obviously referring to Belarus and Russia, and can also serve as a reinforcement of transport aviation. Poland participated in the international NSTO program, but was withdrawn from it for unknown reasons, which means it lost the opportunity to economically operate A330 MRTT aircraft. At present, everything points to the future purchase of its own fleet of several (three?) such machines.
The reconnaissance aircraft, codenamed Płomykówka, are still in service, with designs ranging from small Bizjets-based aircraft to the Boeing P-8i Poseidon.
Transport aircraft
Transport aviation - the already lengthy process of adopting the medium transport aircraft C-130H "Hercules" to replace the worn-out C-130E aircraft continues to drag on, with no end in sight. According to the Armament Agency, a procedure for upgrading the MLU of the first Western military aircraft purchased by the Polish Air Force, the C-295M, is also planned. The program for creating "target" transport aircraft that will replace the heavily used Hercules aircraft donated by Washington is currently on hold. In particular, the so-called latest version of the C-130 seems to have the best chances under the DROP program, although the modern Brazilian Embraer C-390, also eagerly chosen by countries in the Eastern European region, is gaining market share in the world. So far, it has been chosen by Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria, and Sweden is seriously considering this option.
Training aviation
The training aviation remains at a satisfactory level in terms of the technical condition of the aircraft. Despite the tragic crash of the M-346 "Master", in which the pilot died, Poland still has 15 such advanced training aircraft. In the longer term, it is planned to purchase another 9, which will increase the current fleet to 24.
However, helicopter pilot training faces enormous challenges. Currently, Polish-made SW-4 and Mi-2 helicopters are used for training, and due to the huge purchases of combat and transport helicopters, a completely new, comprehensive training system with helicopters and simulators is needed. In this context, the Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW109M helicopters are offered, the latter of which, if selected, could be assembled at the PZL-Świdnik plant. In addition, Babcock offers a comprehensive training solution in the framework of a public-private partnership, similar to the one the company has created in the UK at Shawsbury. In theory, the Poles can use any training helicopters in this solution, although the UK uses more than 20 H135 and seven H145.
Helicopters
Helicopter aviation – both in the Air Force and the Ground Forces – has been neglected in Poland for many years, with investments mainly being made in aircraft (C-295, M-28 Bryza, F-16, C-130, F-35, FA-50). For the first time in 2019, an order for four heavy naval helicopters CSAR and ZOP AW101 were received in early 2024.
Deliveries of 32 AW149 medium transport helicopters (six already delivered) and eight S-70i Black Hawk variants for special forces (at least five already delivered) continue.
The largest batch of helicopters purchased in the United States will be 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, the contract for which was signed in August 2024. These helicopters are to enter service in 2028-2032, and earlier, in 2024 or 2025, eight used AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters are to be accepted, on which crew and ground personnel training should begin.
The acquisition of additional medium utility helicopters (S-70i or AW149 are being considered) and 22 heavy transport helicopters is being considered. In the latter case, the CH-47F Chinook or AW101 are being considered.
The purchase of helicopters, according to Polish aviation experts, will allow the decommissioning of a number of obsolete and heavily worn-out Mi-8 transport helicopters, Mi-24 attack helicopters, Mi-2 light helicopters and, possibly, also some of the oldest W-3 Sokołów helicopters. As for the latter, which are relatively young and some of them have been modernized, the possibility of modernization under the MLU program is being considered for them, so that they could serve at least as military search and rescue helicopters.
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