First Polish-Made F-16 Aft Fuselage Integrated in US Production Line
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PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has reached a crucial milestone with the successful assembly of its first F-16 Block 70/72 aft fuselage manufactured in Poland. This component, vital to the aircraft’s structure, was integrated into the production line in Greenville, South Carolina, marking a new step forward in Poland’s growing involvement in the global defense industry. The aft fuselage, completed in August 2023, was then shipped to the U.S. for integration with the rest of the aircraft—a critical procedure to ensure the structural integrity and performance of the F-16.
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A Polish air force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flies over Lask Air Base, Poland, June 13, 2014, during exercise Eagle Talon (Picture source: US DoD)
The “mating” process aligns and securely attaches the F-16’s rear section to the main fuselage, requiring expert precision and the expertise of highly skilled technicians. The integration of this component enables the aircraft to progress along the assembly line, eventually undergoing rigorous testing before final delivery to international clients.
Janusz Zakręcki, President and CEO of PZL Mielec, highlighted the pride felt by the entire team for reaching this milestone. He noted that the expertise demonstrated by the technicians reflects Poland’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the global defense sector. This accomplishment, he added, strengthens Poland’s defense capabilities and solidifies its position on the international stage.
OJ Sanchez, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, emphasized the importance of this advancement, viewing it as a reflection of the robust partnership with PZL Mielec. He stated that the successful integration of this aft fuselage not only represents a technical achievement but also highlights Poland’s increasing capabilities in advanced defense manufacturing. According to him, this collaboration reinforces Lockheed Martin’s global production network and confirms Poland’s strategic role in supporting 21st-century security for international clients.
Beyond its defense significance, this achievement represents a major economic boost for Poland. PZL Mielec, with over 1,650 skilled employees, leads industrial growth in Poland, creating local jobs and contributing to the economy. The collaboration with Lockheed Martin has already resulted in more than $170 million in modernization investments, further establishing Poland’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing. This project saw the first aft fuselage for the F-16 produced in Poland and installed on an aircraft for Lockheed Martin’s international partners.
By January 2023, Lockheed Martin had tested its first F-16 produced at this facility—a two-seater Block 70 model built for Bahrain (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
The rising demand for the new F-16 Fighting Falcon prompted the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to open a new F-16 Block 70/72 production line in Greenville in 2019, three years after the assembly ended in Fort Worth, Texas. Currently, this facility is the world’s only dedicated F-16 production site. In addition to manufacturing new aircraft, it also handles repairs and modernization of earlier models, with its first overhauled F-16 delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 2022.
By January 2023, Lockheed Martin had tested its first F-16 produced at this facility—a two-seater Block 70 model built for Bahrain. PZL Mielec’s involvement in F-16 component production was first announced in 2021, with production beginning in 2022. In March 2023, the factory produced its first fuselage elements for American F-16 Block 70/72 fighters, and by August, the aft fuselage was completed and shipped to Greenville.
This milestone marks a turning point for PZL Mielec, which remains committed to Lockheed Martin’s technological processes and continues innovating in defense, including producing the Black Hawk S-70i helicopter, with production surpassing 100 units in 2023.
The integration of the first Polish-made aft fuselage for the F-16 not only symbolizes Poland’s growing capacity to support global defense projects but also strengthens strategic relations between Poland and Lockheed Martin. Poland operates a fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters, acquired between 2006 and 2009. In October 2024, the United States approved a $7.3 billion contract to upgrade these aircraft to the F-16V standard, thereby enhancing Poland’s air defense capabilities.
The military partnership between the United States and Poland has deepened in recent years, reflecting a reinforced strategic cooperation. In March 2023, the U.S. inaugurated its first permanent garrison in Poland, intended to coordinate support for American forces deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. Concurrently, Poland signed several arms contracts with the U.S., including a deal for 96 Apache attack helicopters in August 2023. These initiatives aim to modernize Poland’s armed forces and strengthen regional security in response to potential threats. This partnership underscores both nations’ mutual commitment to maintaining stability and collective defense within the Atlantic Alliance.
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PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has reached a crucial milestone with the successful assembly of its first F-16 Block 70/72 aft fuselage manufactured in Poland. This component, vital to the aircraft’s structure, was integrated into the production line in Greenville, South Carolina, marking a new step forward in Poland’s growing involvement in the global defense industry. The aft fuselage, completed in August 2023, was then shipped to the U.S. for integration with the rest of the aircraft—a critical procedure to ensure the structural integrity and performance of the F-16.
A Polish air force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flies over Lask Air Base, Poland, June 13, 2014, during exercise Eagle Talon (Picture source: US DoD)
The “mating” process aligns and securely attaches the F-16’s rear section to the main fuselage, requiring expert precision and the expertise of highly skilled technicians. The integration of this component enables the aircraft to progress along the assembly line, eventually undergoing rigorous testing before final delivery to international clients.
Janusz Zakręcki, President and CEO of PZL Mielec, highlighted the pride felt by the entire team for reaching this milestone. He noted that the expertise demonstrated by the technicians reflects Poland’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the global defense sector. This accomplishment, he added, strengthens Poland’s defense capabilities and solidifies its position on the international stage.
OJ Sanchez, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, emphasized the importance of this advancement, viewing it as a reflection of the robust partnership with PZL Mielec. He stated that the successful integration of this aft fuselage not only represents a technical achievement but also highlights Poland’s increasing capabilities in advanced defense manufacturing. According to him, this collaboration reinforces Lockheed Martin’s global production network and confirms Poland’s strategic role in supporting 21st-century security for international clients.
Beyond its defense significance, this achievement represents a major economic boost for Poland. PZL Mielec, with over 1,650 skilled employees, leads industrial growth in Poland, creating local jobs and contributing to the economy. The collaboration with Lockheed Martin has already resulted in more than $170 million in modernization investments, further establishing Poland’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing. This project saw the first aft fuselage for the F-16 produced in Poland and installed on an aircraft for Lockheed Martin’s international partners.
By January 2023, Lockheed Martin had tested its first F-16 produced at this facility—a two-seater Block 70 model built for Bahrain (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
The rising demand for the new F-16 Fighting Falcon prompted the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to open a new F-16 Block 70/72 production line in Greenville in 2019, three years after the assembly ended in Fort Worth, Texas. Currently, this facility is the world’s only dedicated F-16 production site. In addition to manufacturing new aircraft, it also handles repairs and modernization of earlier models, with its first overhauled F-16 delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 2022.
By January 2023, Lockheed Martin had tested its first F-16 produced at this facility—a two-seater Block 70 model built for Bahrain. PZL Mielec’s involvement in F-16 component production was first announced in 2021, with production beginning in 2022. In March 2023, the factory produced its first fuselage elements for American F-16 Block 70/72 fighters, and by August, the aft fuselage was completed and shipped to Greenville.
This milestone marks a turning point for PZL Mielec, which remains committed to Lockheed Martin’s technological processes and continues innovating in defense, including producing the Black Hawk S-70i helicopter, with production surpassing 100 units in 2023.
The integration of the first Polish-made aft fuselage for the F-16 not only symbolizes Poland’s growing capacity to support global defense projects but also strengthens strategic relations between Poland and Lockheed Martin. Poland operates a fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters, acquired between 2006 and 2009. In October 2024, the United States approved a $7.3 billion contract to upgrade these aircraft to the F-16V standard, thereby enhancing Poland’s air defense capabilities.
The military partnership between the United States and Poland has deepened in recent years, reflecting a reinforced strategic cooperation. In March 2023, the U.S. inaugurated its first permanent garrison in Poland, intended to coordinate support for American forces deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. Concurrently, Poland signed several arms contracts with the U.S., including a deal for 96 Apache attack helicopters in August 2023. These initiatives aim to modernize Poland’s armed forces and strengthen regional security in response to potential threats. This partnership underscores both nations’ mutual commitment to maintaining stability and collective defense within the Atlantic Alliance.
