Andrzej Jeziorski/WARSAW
THE POLISH AIR FORCE is planning a massive re-organisation, cutting aircraft numbers by one-third and personnel by one-fifth over the next ten years.
By the end of 2005, the air force will have 230 aircraft, compared with today's 352, and 41,500 personnel, compared with 53,500 at the start of this year. Ground-radar sites are to be cut from 360 to 175, while one additional surface-to-air missile (SAM) unit is planned, raising the number to 43.
The Polish air force will consist of fixed-wing forces and SAM units. Helicopter operations are being switched into a new, separate, army-aviation force, supporting Polish army operations.
The air force is being divided into two air-defence corps: the northern corps, headquartered in Bydgoszcz, and the southern corps, with its base in Wroclaw. Poland's Sukhoi Su-22 Fitters will be incorporated into a strike corps, based in Poznan, consisting of two, two-squadron, fighter-bomber brigades at three bases in the west of the country.
The restructuring plans were revealed at the hand-over of ten former Czech air force Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, obtained in exchange for 11 Polish-built PZL-Swidnik W-3 Sokol helicopters. The new aircraft bring to 22 the number of MiG-29s in Polish service, and they are expected to stay active for 20 years.
The new aircraft will not be flown operationally until May, by when the air force should have resolved spares problems and completes the training of additional Fulcrum pilots.
The question of replacements for Poland's Mikoyan MiG-21s as the air force's mainstay combat aircraft is still open, with the Lockheed Martin F-16, McDonnell Douglas F-18, Saab JAS39 Gripen and Dassault Mirage 2000 under consideration as well as the MiG-29M.
The Polish navy has completed the re-organisation of its air arm. The move began in January 1995, with the formation of the independent naval air brigade. The former five naval-aviation units have been re-organised into squadrons stationed along the coast, each with combat and search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities.
Fighter and strike/reconnaissance duties are fulfilled by the Mikoyan MiG-21bis and radar-equipped TS-11 Iskras. These may soon be joined by PZL-Mielec Irydas, and the same manufacturer's M-28 Bryza may also be introduced for maritime patrol.
SAR and anti-submarine-warfare duties are carried out by Mil Mi-14 and PZL-Swidnik Anakonda helicopters.
Source: Flight International
