Fighter aviation of Poland

The Polish Air Force is currently undergoing a reorganization and modernization. In the near future, Soviet-made combat aircraft will be decommissioned and replaced by modernized F-16C/D Jastrząb fighters, South Korean-made FA-50 Golden Eagle light supersonic aircraft, and 5th-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters.
MiG-29 fighters
After the end of the Cold War, the Polish fighter aviation was significantly reduced. The last MiG-23MFs were decommissioned in 1999, and the MiG-21bis served until 2003. After that, of the aircraft capable of intercepting and conducting close maneuverable air combat, only the MiG-29 remained in service.

One of the first MiG-29A fighters of the Polish Air Force
The first fighters of this type arrived in Poland in mid-1989. These were four single-seat MiG-29A variant 9.12A and three combat-training MiG-29UB variant 9.51, another five single-seat fighters were delivered in October 1990. All single-seat and two-seat MiG-29s were assigned to one squadron of the 1st Fighter Aviation Regiment in Minsk-Mazowieckie, the other two squadrons continued to fly the MiG-21MF.
The MiG-29As supplied to Warsaw Pact allies were significantly superior in their combat and operational characteristics to all previously delivered Soviet-made fighters. Due to their high maneuverability and thrust-to-weight ratio, the MiG-29 had an advantage over all NATO fighters in close air combat in the 1980s and 1990s. For its time, the Fulcrum was equipped with fairly sophisticated avionics and carried six missiles air combat R-60MK and R-73 with a launch range of 10-30 km. Built-in armament - 30-mm cannon GSh-301. To combat an air enemy beyond direct visibility, the combat load could include two medium-range missiles R-27R with a semi-active radar homing head, capable of hitting air targets at a range of up to 60 km, which in turn made it possible to carry out tasks to intercept frontline and strategic bombers on distant approaches to protected objects. The N019 radar, installed on the export MiG-29A fighter, is capable of detecting a fighter-type target at a range of up to 85 km. In conditions of good visibility, the optical-location system records targets in the IR range at a range of up to 35 km. Information about the targets is displayed on the windshield.
It was planned that this 4th generation frontline fighter would replace the MiG-1990 and MiG-21 frontline interceptors in the Warsaw Pact air forces by the end of the 23s. However, due to the collapse of communist ideology and the disintegration of the USSR, these plans could not be realized, and deliveries of the MiG-29 to Eastern European countries ceased.
In the early 1990s, it became clear that it would not be possible to purchase new fighters in Russia due to financial constraints. At the same time, the Polish Air Force needed operational aircraft to replace the decommissioned MiG-21 and MiG-23 and to prevent unauthorized intrusion into its airspace. In 1995, a barter deal was concluded with the Czech Republic, during which, in exchange for 11 W-3 Sokół helicopters, Poland received 9 single-seat fighters and one twin-seat fighter.
In 2003, Poland received 22 MiG-29 aircraft from Germany. Including 18 single-seat MiG-29G and 4 two-seat MiG-29GT. Before transferring them to the Air Force, the fighters underwent refurbishment. Due to a shortage of spare parts, seven former German MiG-29s were dismantled for spare parts.
In 2003, Polish MiG-29s became the only type of fighter capable of effectively performing missions Defense, and they regularly took part in joint events with NATO aircraft. From January 1 to March 31, 2006, MiG-29s from the 1st Tactical Air Squadron, based at Zokniai Airport near Šiauliai, controlled the airspace of three Baltic states: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Polish group included 4 aircraft and 6 pilots.
After two decades of service, the Polish MiG-29s had become quite worn out, and a number of key electronic systems no longer met modern requirements. A contract for the repair and modernization of the national air force fighters worth $44,5 million was signed with Aircraft Repair Plant No. 2 in Bydgoszcz in September 2011. The upgrade included 13 single-seat MiG-29A fighters and three two-seat MiG-29UBs.

The contract provided for the extension of the life of the MiG-29 fighters until 2028, increasing their combat capabilities and interoperability with the F-16C / D fighters.
During the modernization, the MiG-29 received new avionics, including MDP on-board computers, MIL-Std-1553В data buses, INSB-29, AVB-29 and HDB-29 interfaces, color multifunction displays and navigation systems with SAASM signal protection modules GPS from interference.
Replacing obsolete analog equipment with modern systems has increased reliability and reduced aircraft weight, thereby allowing for increased bomb load and fuel capacity.
Due to high cost and operational limitations, the planned rearmament of Polish MiGs with NATO-standard air-to-air missiles did not take place. To combat an air adversary, the modernized Polish MiG-29, as before, can carry two R-27R medium-range missiles with a semi-active radar homing head and six R-73 missiles with an IR homing head.

Despite their limited service life and considerable age, the MiG-29s regularly participated in close combat training with Polish F-16 fighters. For this purpose, the MiGs were relocated to the Krzesiny and Łask airfields, where fighter squadrons flying F-16 Jastrząb aircraft are permanently stationed. However, there is no information about the results of these training clashes in open sources.
According to reference data, as of the end of 2021, the Polish Air Force had 27 single-seat and two-seat MiG-29 fighters. All MiGs were concentrated at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork and the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki. At that time, due to poor technical condition, no more than 70% of the aircraft could take off.
In 2024, it became known that Kyiv asked Warsaw to transfer the existing MiG-29s, and the parties discussed this possibility. However, there is no clarity on this issue, and it is likely that some of the old Polish fighters have already left the country. It is reliably known that spare parts and air weapons were transferred to Ukraine. There is also information that after February 24, 2022, Ukrainian MiG-29s were repaired in Poland.
F-16C/D fighters
After Poland was accepted into NATO, a gradual transition to Western weapons standards began. In 2001, the Polish Defense Ministry announced a competition for a promising fighter that was to replace the MiG-29. The following took part in the tender: the American F-16 Fighting Falcon from Lockheed Martin, the F/A-18 Hornet from Boeing, the French Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen from SAAB.
According to the requirements of the Polish Air Force, the new multi-role fighters were to participate in the fight for air superiority, provide air support for ground forces, naval forces and aerial reconnaissance. It was envisaged that the prospective supersonic combat aircraft as part of a unified air defense system, interacting with ground radar posts, would provide cover for the country's territory and naval groups, they would be able to accompany transport and attack aircraft when performing missions over territory where there is a risk of attack by enemy fighters. Participation in isolating the combat zone and the possibility of providing direct air support to ground forces were stipulated.
Based on these requirements, it was planned to purchase 60 new Western-made fighters. But after Germany donated 22 MiG-29s, the number of aircraft to be purchased was reduced to 48 units.
The final stage considered Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52+, Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and SAAB JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters. All three aircraft largely met the tactical and technical requirements of the Polish Air Force Headquarters, but the tender committee chose the American-made fighters, as, according to Polish experts, they had the best capabilities at that time for detecting air and ground targets and a wide range of air weapons, and were also the most optimal in terms of cost/effectiveness. But it should also be acknowledged that the results of the competition were largely influenced by political considerations.
The official announcement of the tender results took place on December 27, 2002. On April 18, 2003, the governments of Poland and the United States signed a contract for the delivery of 36 single-seat F-16C combat aircraft and 12 two-seat F-16D combat trainer aircraft in 2006-2008. Their value was $3,6 billion. The total amount of the deal, including pilot training and investment in the development of the necessary infrastructure, was about $6 billion. One of the conditions for the acquisition of American fighters was a promise by the United States to invest in the Polish economy an amount equal to the cost of the aircraft.
Unlike a number of other countries that purchased used American fighters, these aircraft were new. They were built at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The first Polish F-16C took to the skies on March 14, 2006. In the Polish Air Force, the American F-16C/D Block 52+ received the designation F-16 Jastrząb (Polish: jastrząb – goshawk). The first four F-16s were delivered to Poland on November 11, 2006, and the last three were delivered on December 12, 2008.

Polish Air Force F-16C and F-16D fighters
The main task of the Polish F-16 Jastrząb is air defense of the country's territory. For this purpose, the fighters can carry all available weapons and are equipped with advanced electronic equipment. Raytheon Corporation supplied two of the latest types of air-to-air guided missiles: 178 medium-range AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM and 178 short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder.
The basis of the targeting and search system is the latest Northrop Grumman (Westinghouse) AN/APG-68(V)9 radar with a maximum detection range of over 290 km for a large air target. The detection range for a fighter-type target is 120-160 km. The station can simultaneously track 10 air targets and guide missiles to four. The F-16 Jastrząb fighter's onboard radar is combined with the IDM (Iproved Data Modem) tactical information exchange system, which operates in the Link 16 standard and allows for the creation of a joint visualization of the situation, and the exchange of data with ground and air users of tactical information.
The AN/ALQ-211(V)4 AIDEWS electronic warfare system is used to counter enemy radars. It includes a radar irradiation receiver combined with a threat database, a control processor, and an active broadband jamming generator. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with AN/ALE-47 anti-radiation and heat trap ejection devices.
Poland purchased 360 AGM-65G Maverick missiles designed to destroy land and sea targets, 340 Mk 227 free-fall bombs, 82 Mk 230 bombs and 909 JDAM kits for converting them into guided bombs, as well as more than 84 AGM-270 JSOW glide-guided air-to-air munitions.
In addition to the above arms Polish Air Force received 22 Lockheed Martin Sniper-XR optoelectronic surveillance and target designation kits and 7 Goodrich DB-110 reconnaissance units with real-time ground data acquisition and analysis kits, as well as J-HMCS sights, NVG night vision goggles and a large number of spare parts .
Since mid-2016, the aircraft repair plant in Bydgoszcz has been carrying out repairs, maintenance and modernisation of F-16 Jastrząb fighters. During the work, some fighters received a specific camouflage created by Polish specialists.

Planned modernization work is carried out at the rate of two fighters per month. The estimated cost of purchasing additional weapons and modernizing the existing F-16 fleet is $250 million.
As of 2022, all F-16 Jastrząb fighters were part of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, headquartered in Poznań. The 3rd and 6th Fighter Squadrons are based at the 31st Air Base in Krzesiny in Poznań, and the 10th Fighter Squadron is based at the 32nd Air Base in Łask near Łódź. The 31st Tactical Air Base is assigned 23 F-16Cs and 9 F-16Ds, and the 32nd Tactical Air Base is assigned 13 F-16Cs and 3 F-16Ds.
Following the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the Polish government considered the possibility of acquiring 60 used F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters from the US Air Force. An alternative option was the F-16V Viper, which, in terms of cost/effectiveness, looks even preferable in the interceptor role than the 5th generation F-35A Lightning II fighters.
Light multirole combat aircraft KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle
The introduction of F-16C/D fighters has significantly increased the combat power of the Polish Air Force, but has not completely eliminated the need to replenish the air fleet, which is formed as a result of the decommissioning of obsolete and worn-out Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su-22M4 aircraft. In this regard, about 10 years ago, the command of the Polish Air Force began to consider options for acquiring relatively inexpensive combat aircraft capable of striking land and sea targets, intercepting subsonic targets and conducting defensive close air combat. To this end, in July 2022, Poland concluded a deal with the Republic of Korea for the supply of 12 FA-50GF Block 10 and 36 FA-50PL Block 20. The total contract amount exceeded $3 billion.

Light supersonic combat aircraft FA-50 Golden Eagle
The light two-seat supersonic combat aircraft FA-50 Golden Eagle was created by the joint efforts of the South Korean company KAI and the American Lockheed Martin on the basis of the trainer T-50 Golden Eagle, which was initially designed as a supersonic trainer for training pilots of the South Korean F-15K and KF-16C/D, and was also considered as a light attack aircraft. The first flight of the experimental T-50 Golden Eagle was performed on August 20, 2002. An order for 25 T-50s was placed in late 2003. In December, the Republic of Korea Air Force ordered the conversion of four T-50s into combat FA-50s. As a result, the South Korean aircraft manufacturer KAI received a contract worth $1,02 billion for the delivery of 60 FA-50s.
According to information published at international aerospace shows, the maximum takeoff weight of the two-seat FA-50 fighter is 12 kg. The aircraft uses a General Electric F300 turbofan engine with an afterburner, manufactured under license in South Korea. The maximum engine thrust reaches 404 kgf. The maximum flight speed at high altitude is 8045 km. Cruising speed is 1650 km/h. The practical flight range is 980 km. Armament weighing up to 1850 kg can be placed on 7 suspension nodes. To defeat air targets in close combat, there is a built-in three-barrel 3000-mm cannon with 20 rounds of ammunition, as well as AIM-200 Sidewinder and AIM-9 AMRAAM missiles. The EL/M-120 pulse-Doppler radar is used to detect air and surface targets, map the terrain, and employ airborne weapons. The onboard radar, developed by the Israeli company ELTA Systems, is capable of detecting an air target with an RCS of 2032 square meters at a range of up to 5 km. The F/A-100 avionics include a Link-50 data exchange system, radar warning equipment, and night vision devices. The cockpit is equipped with color multifunctional indicators and information display equipment on the windshield.
Currently, KAI is completing the creation of a single-seat F-50 fighter, which is planned to increase the flight range by approximately 30% by installing an additional fuel tank. It is claimed that the single-seat F-50 will significantly surpass the F-5E Tiger II fighter in its capabilities and will have approximately 80% of the combat potential of the F-16C Block 52.
The first 12 FA-50GF aircraft appeared at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk-Mazowieckie in the second half of 2023.

In the second half of 2025, the improved FA-50PL modification should begin to operate, which differs from the FA-50GF in its improved AESA Phantom Strike radar and a wider range of available weapons. Currently, the FA-50PL aircraft are being integrated with long-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The FA-50PL modification is also equipped with a boom for in-flight refueling. In the future, all early FA-50GFs should be upgraded to the FA-50PL standard.
If the Polish FA-50PLs are equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, this will allow them to effectively combat not only UAVs, cruise missiles and helicopters, but also conduct missile duels with modern fighters beyond the line of sight.
F-35A fighters
The light, two-seat, multi-role FA-50 Golden Eagle aircraft is partly capable of compensating for the decommissioning of Soviet-made fighters and attack aircraft, but it still cannot compete on equal terms with new Russian fighters.
In order to maintain the potential of fighter aircraft at the proper level, in January 2020 the Polish government signed an agreement to purchase F-35A Lightning II aircraft. For $4,6 billion, it is planned to purchase 32 5th generation fighters, as well as aircraft weapons, consumables, spare parts, and train flight and technical personnel. In the future, after the F-35A is mastered in combat squadrons, an option to purchase an additional batch is provided.

The Polish Air Force Command believes that the versatile F-35A is capable of fully replacing outdated fighters, adapted mainly for air combat, as well as Soviet-made strike aircraft. After the Lightning 2 is adopted, they will be tasked with intercepting air targets, gaining superiority, and striking ground and sea targets.
The F-35A is being built for the Polish order at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company plant in Fort Worth. The first of 2024 F-32A combat aircraft was rolled out in August 35. The customer received two aircraft in 2024. Six more are to be delivered in 2025. The first eight Polish 5th generation fighters will initially be used to train pilots in the United States. Another 2026 Lightning 14 aircraft are planned to be built in 2. The initial combat readiness level of the first squadron is to be reached in 2027, and full combat readiness of two squadrons is to be reached in 2030.
It is known that there are plans to base one fighter squadron (16 F-35A aircraft) at the 32nd Air Operations Group Lask Air Base in central Poland, where they will operate alongside the F-16C/D Jastrząb. The second squadron will replace the decommissioned Su-22M4 attack aircraft at the 21st Tactical Air Base Świdwin, near the Baltic coast. Reconstruction of the airfield infrastructure is currently underway in Łask and Świdwin to accommodate the new aircraft.
Planned size and structure of Polish fighter aviation after 2030, as well as assistance from NATO allies
Apparently, the Polish Air Force Command expects to have two combat-ready air wings by 2030. The 1st air wing will have three squadrons armed with FA-50PL aircraft and one F-35A, while the 2nd air wing will have three F-16C/D squadrons and one F-35A. The aircraft of each air wing will be based at two air bases, from which the fighter squadrons will operate independently of each other, and thanks to the presence of a sensor system and advanced data exchange equipment, the F-35As will be able to coordinate the actions of 4th generation fighters. The 5th generation fighters should not only compensate for the loss of MiG-29 and Su-22M4, but also, in cooperation with aerostats and long-range radar surveillance aircraft, enhance the capabilities of the entire Polish combat aviation. Thus, for a country of 312 km², Poland will have a very good and well-balanced fleet of combat aircraft capable of performing a wide range of tasks.
However, until this happens, NATO allies, in order to compensate for the current relative weakness of the Polish Air Force, regularly deploy their fighters to Polish air bases. Since February 2022, F-15E fighter-bombers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, F-22A fighters from Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base, Alaska, F-15E from Lakenheath Air Force Base in the UK, F-16C/D from Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany, and British and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, as well as American and Italian F-35As have been on duty in Poland.
Information