Poland has signed a $3.8 billion deal with the U.S. to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16C/D multi-role fighter jets to the advanced F-16V standard.
According to a military statement, the intergovernmental Letter of Offer and Acceptance was signed at a ceremony in Bydgoszcz on August 13, attended by Poland’s Secretary of State for Defense Paweł Bejda, Inspector of the Polish Air Force Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Poland.
All modernization work for the Lockheed Martin–manufactured jets will take place in Bydgoszcz, with flight tests and inspections of two aircraft conducted in the U.S. Work on the first jets is set to begin in 2028, with the full modernization program scheduled for completion by 2038.
Poland’s Air Force operates 32 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds, delivered between 2006 and 2008. The jets are based at Poznań-Krzesiny and Łask, and have participated in Baltic air policing and NATO missions abroad.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the air force needs an upgrade, as its current capabilities are no longer sufficient to meet evolving threats.
“The current capabilities of the F-16 C/D version are good, but after 20 years, they are insufficient to address the threats,” said Kosiniak-Kamysz. “We need to improve reconnaissance, communications, and integration with the F-35, Abrams, and Apache.”
According to U.S. State Department documents, the Polish F-16Vs will get new radar systems, a central mission computer, an IFF system to identify friendly aircraft, better communication and data-sharing tools, and ejection seats. The upgrade program also includes an overhaul of the electronic warfare system, though the Ministry of Defense has not provided further details.
Once upgraded, the F-16V Jastrząb fleet will operate seamlessly alongside Poland’s incoming Lockheed Martin F-35A Husarz fighters, set to enter service next year.
