Breaking News: Poland to modernize its fleet of U.S. F-16C/D fighter jets to advanced F-16 Viper configuration
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According to information published by Lockheed Martin on August 14, 2025, the Polish Ministry of National Defence has finalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States government to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighter aircraft to the advanced F-16 Viper configuration, also known as the F-16V. U.S. Company Lockheed Martin will serve as the prime contractor for this large-scale modernization program, which is intended to ensure the long-term operational relevance of Poland’s fighter fleet and enhance NATO interoperability amid a shifting European security landscape.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper from the 49th Wing takes off from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
Poland currently operates three squadrons equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon jets, stationed at Krzesiny and Łask air bases. These aircraft, originally acquired in the mid-2000s, have been the backbone of the Polish Air Force’s tactical aviation and have participated in numerous NATO missions and multinational exercises. In addition to its F-16 fleet, Poland has one squadron operating the FA-50 Fighting Eagle, a light multirole fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, which serves as both a training and combat platform and supports quick reaction and air policing duties.
The upgrade to the F-16V configuration represents a transformative leap in capability for the Polish fleet. While the Block 52+ variant is already equipped with modern avionics and weapons systems, the Viper configuration introduces fifth-generation operational features that significantly improve survivability, lethality, and situational awareness. A core component of this upgrade is the APG-83 AESA radar, providing superior target detection and tracking performance, as well as resistance to jamming and enhanced all-weather engagement capability. The addition of a new high-resolution Center Pedestal Display allows pilots to visualize real-time sensor data more effectively. Enhanced mission computers, advanced helmet-mounted cueing systems, and an improved electronic warfare suite bring greater network-centric combat performance. The inclusion of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS), developed to prevent controlled flight into terrain, dramatically increases pilot safety. Structural enhancements will extend the service life of each airframe to 12,000 flight hours, ensuring operational availability through 2045 and beyond.
This modernization comes as part of Poland’s broader effort to field a fully modernized, multi-layered air combat capability. In 2020, Poland signed a $4.6 billion contract to acquire 32 F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multirole fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The F-35 acquisition will give Poland stealth capability, advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and seamless integration into NATO’s fifth-generation networked warfare environment. The upgraded F-16V fleet will serve as an ideal complement to the F-35s, capable of operating in high-threat environments with enhanced survivability and ensuring mission overlap and flexibility during joint operations.
U.S. Company Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 (WZL-2) in Bydgoszcz will play a critical role in executing the F-16V upgrades domestically, fostering knowledge transfer, industrial growth, and workforce development in Poland. The localization of the upgrade effort is part of Lockheed Martin’s ongoing strategy to support Poland’s defense sovereignty, having already invested $1.8 billion into the local defense industry over the last decade. This upgrade reinforces Poland’s role as a leading airpower contributor on NATO’s eastern flank and highlights its commitment to maintaining a highly capable and future-ready air force.
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According to information published by Lockheed Martin on August 14, 2025, the Polish Ministry of National Defence has finalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States government to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighter aircraft to the advanced F-16 Viper configuration, also known as the F-16V. U.S. Company Lockheed Martin will serve as the prime contractor for this large-scale modernization program, which is intended to ensure the long-term operational relevance of Poland’s fighter fleet and enhance NATO interoperability amid a shifting European security landscape.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper from the 49th Wing takes off from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
Poland currently operates three squadrons equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon jets, stationed at Krzesiny and Łask air bases. These aircraft, originally acquired in the mid-2000s, have been the backbone of the Polish Air Force’s tactical aviation and have participated in numerous NATO missions and multinational exercises. In addition to its F-16 fleet, Poland has one squadron operating the FA-50 Fighting Eagle, a light multirole fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, which serves as both a training and combat platform and supports quick reaction and air policing duties.
The upgrade to the F-16V configuration represents a transformative leap in capability for the Polish fleet. While the Block 52+ variant is already equipped with modern avionics and weapons systems, the Viper configuration introduces fifth-generation operational features that significantly improve survivability, lethality, and situational awareness. A core component of this upgrade is the APG-83 AESA radar, providing superior target detection and tracking performance, as well as resistance to jamming and enhanced all-weather engagement capability.
The addition of a new high-resolution Center Pedestal Display allows pilots to visualize real-time sensor data more effectively. Enhanced mission computers, advanced helmet-mounted cueing systems, and an improved electronic warfare suite bring greater network-centric combat performance. The inclusion of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS), developed to prevent controlled flight into terrain, dramatically increases pilot safety. Structural enhancements will extend the service life of each airframe to 12,000 flight hours, ensuring operational availability through 2045 and beyond.
This modernization comes as part of Poland’s broader effort to field a fully modernized, multi-layered air combat capability. In 2020, Poland signed a $4.6 billion contract to acquire 32 F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multirole fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The F-35 acquisition will give Poland stealth capability, advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and seamless integration into NATO’s fifth-generation networked warfare environment. The upgraded F-16V fleet will serve as an ideal complement to the F-35s, capable of operating in high-threat environments with enhanced survivability and ensuring mission overlap and flexibility during joint operations.
U.S. Company Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 (WZL-2) in Bydgoszcz will play a critical role in executing the F-16V upgrades domestically, fostering knowledge transfer, industrial growth, and workforce development in Poland. The localization of the upgrade effort is part of Lockheed Martin’s ongoing strategy to support Poland’s defense sovereignty, having already invested $1.8 billion into the local defense industry over the last decade. This upgrade reinforces Poland’s role as a leading airpower contributor on NATO’s eastern flank and highlights its commitment to maintaining a highly capable and future-ready air force.
