Next week a contract is to be signed for the modernization of Polish F-16 fighters, called "hawks". A contract worth about $4 billion will most likely be signed on Wednesday at the Bydgoszcz Military Aviation Plant. Modernization is to lift Polish aircraft to the latest Viper Block 72 standard.
Forty-eight F-16C/D Block 52+ multi-purpose aircraft are now the basis of Polish combat aviation. American fighters are responsible, among others, for most patrols and missions related to the protection of Polish airspace.
Planes reached Poland in 2006-2008, which marked the beginning of the revolution in Polish combat aviation. The goal was to completely control from russian to Western equipment.
The request for thorough modernisation
Polish F-16s are approaching the age erstwhile it becomes essential to call MLU, or Mid-life Update. This is simply a thorough modernization of the equipment that already has its years, so that it is adapted to modern challenges.
According to PAP information from sources akin to the Ministry of Defence, the contract is due to be signed next week. The ceremony will be held before Friday the Polish Army.
US credit guarantee
The exact scope of modernisation and the value of the contract are not yet known. However, unofficial information indicates that it will be about $4 billion.
At the end of July, Deputy Prime Minister, the head of MON Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, signed an agreement to grant Poland a credit warrant of this amount. The warrant will be granted under the abroad Military Financing programme.
Standard Viper Block 72
In October last year, the U.S. Department of State issued an agreement to upgrade Polish F-16. Under this decision, Polish fighters can be raised to the Viper Block 72 standard.
At that time, the maximum price of modernization was set at $7.3 billion. The F-16V Viper uses many solutions developed for the F-35, expanding aircraft's ability to operate in a network-centric system.
Modern weapons systems
Modernisation is characterized by a number of improvements towards the Polish configuration. They increase the operational capacity, interoperability and viability of the aircraft.
This is primarily about radar with active AESA scans and the modernisation of data processing and exchange systems. It is besides planned to upgrade avionics, including the human-machine interface, and adapt to fresh weapons systems.
Currently, most of the work is carried out in Bydgoszcz Military Aviation Plant to keep F-16 in readiness, which is carried out in Poland.
Mikołaj Malicki, Filip Romik (PAP) Note: This article was edited with Artificial Intelligence.
