Defence Policy
Polish Air Force to Acquire New Aircraft Type: Decisions Soon
Photo. Jarosław Ciślak/Defence24
In the coming weeks, the Polish Ministry of Defence will agree on a plan for developing military aviation, drafted by the General Staff working on a review of the modernization programmes, Defence24.pl found out. The document will result in a review of assumptions made so far, concerning the current threats and needs.
According to the information obtained by Defence24.pl, the review of aviation modernization programmes is in its final stages. That review would include guidelines for the airframe numbers for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft acquisitions for all branches of the Polish Armed Forces. The document is to cover future multi-role helicopters, attack helicopters, and fast-jet acquisitions. It is expected that the final quantitative framework will be established by this review.
Defence24.pl found out that the Polish Ministry of Defence is seriously considering the bid placed by the Eurofighter consortium, regarding the Typhoon jets. The MoD had been announcing the willingness to procure an extra two MRCA squadrons earlier on. Apart from the performance figures, the Polish Ministry of Defence may also consider the industrial cooperation and funding conditions as important factors in the process. Boeing (F-15EX), and Lockheed Martin (F-35A) placed their bids as well. This is one of the key modernization programmes in the Polish Air Force, without any decisions made.
The document developed at the Ministry would answer the questions about the multi-role helicopter fleet as well. Further acquisitions have already been mentioned, on the occasion of the recent opening of the AW149 manufacturing line in Świdnik. During Defence24 Days a declaration was made that the optimal solution would be to decommission all of the post-Soviet helicopter platforms this decade. To accomplish this, additional procurement would be required. The new document will also include assumptions for the development of support and training aviation.
Back in May, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Polish Ministry of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during his speech at the Sejm, presented a plan for Polish defence procurement, which is still to be implemented by the end of this year. When it comes to aircraft acquisitions, the willingness to procure Apache Guardian attack helicopters (USA placed a bid with 96 aircraft), multi-role/battle support helicopters, and F-16 MLU were listed. Kosiniak-Kamysz also mentioned the procurement of UAV/UCAV systems.