In April of 1999, Poland joined NATO, and had the task of integrating its Soviet-bloc aircraft with Western air forces. One of the tasks was that of determining a suitable replacement for the aging fleet of MiG-21 fighters that were holdovers from the Warsaw Pact days.
Poland considered the JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden and the Mirage 2000-9 from France. Lockheed Martin proposed the Block 50+ F-16C/D. The F-16C/D had the advantage as it was a combat-proven fighter and was already in service in large numbers with many NATO countries. In addition, it was thought that acquiring the F-16 would give Poland quicker access to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as soon as it was made available to foreign customers.
The Lockheed Martin offer was for the Block 50/52 F-16C/D. The choice of engine between the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 would be made later, but the radar suite would be the APG-68(V)9, and the aircraft would have the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System, NATO datalink systems, an advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare suite. The aircraft would be capable of launching the AIM-9X advanced Sidewinder air-to-air missile, and could carry the AGM-154A/C Joint Stand-Off Weapon. The cockpit would be compatible with full night-vision capability.
In December of 2002, Poland selected the F-16 as its future fighter, and signed a letter of Offer and Acceptance on March 15, 2003 for the purchace of 48 F-16C/D Block 52 fighters.
Sources:
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Airscene Headlines, Air International, April 2003.
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Airscene Headlines, Air International, September 2002.
- Polish Air Force--The Last Ten Years, Jerzy Gruszczynski, Air International, June 2002.
