Andrzej Jeziorski/MUNICH
THE POLISH ministry of national defence has confirmed that it is considering buying 100 Lockheed F-16C/D fighters from the USA to replace aging Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbeds.
Poland needs a new multi-role combat aircraft to replace 220 MiG-21s in fighter, ground-attack, training and reconnaissance roles. The aircraft have to be retired within three years.
Also under consideration are the French Dassault Rafale, Sweden's Saab JAS39 Gripen and the Russian MiG-29M and Sukhoi Su-27. These aircraft are to be presented at the Polish Air Force College in Deblin at the end of August.
The best offer to date has been received from Russia, which is prepared to sell Poland a licence to produce the MiG-29M, says the ministry. This offer is, however, the least favourable politically - an essential factor under consideration, it adds. Poland is going to make a decision partly based on which deal would most advance its aspirations to join NATO.
Recently appointed defence minister Zbigniew Okonski met US air force secretary Sheila Widnall on 1 August, to discuss the possible purchase of F-16s.
Following the meeting, Widnall said that the US Government had decided to release classified information on the aircraft to Poland, and would be sending a team to the country for further discussions on the aircraft's capabilities, logistics, spares and maintenance.
The ministry says that it is interested in the more modern and expensive versions of the F-16, because it anticipates that they will prove more economical in operation and maintenance.
A condition would be participation by Polish industry, initially as a parts manufacturer, then broadening to full airframe production.
The Polish Government is also considering acquiring the projected Aero L-159 light-attack aircraft from the Czech Republic, which is interested in the military Huzar variant of the Polish WSK-PZL Swidnik W-3 Sokol helicopter.
Although this idea is in its infancy, it calls into question the Government's commitment to sup- porting development of the PZL-Mielec Iryda trainer, and endangers the idea of building an indigenous Polish battlefield-support aircraft, say Polish industry sources.
Swidnik says that a Czech Government delegation visited its production site in July for a demonstration of the helicopter.
Polish helicopter manufacturer WSK-PZL Swidnik is in talks with three Western companies as potential strategic partners in the Huzar. The manufacturer is looking for a partner, to supply a new weapon and targeting system, for the helicopter and expects to announce a deal by the end of the year. The helicopter was previously being developed with South African Defence Company Denel.
Source: Flight International
