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F-16 with the other hand for the Polish. Defense Ministry plans to purchase 96 fighters from recovery
01.10.2017, 20:49; Update: 11/01/2017, 7:44
Ministry of Defence is considering the purchase of 96 used American fighters.
Their modernization would be held in our country.
- We conduct an analysis of whether the purchase of used F-16 aircraft is operationally effective and economically - admits in an interview with DGP Bartosz Kownacki, Deputy Defense Minister, responsible for the purchase of equipment for the army .
Reserves, however, that on the way to this goal are "difficulties".
- It is certain that we need a new combat aircraft. Buying F-35 (much more advanced than the F-16 and much more expensive - ed.) At this stage where there is no such possibility of industrial cooperation as such.
Five years ago, it is not economically justified. For something we will have to decide, however - says policies . This solution would be just used hawks.
In the embodiment referred to a maximum of up to six squadrons.
This 96 fighters. Machines would come from surplus US military hardware.
Purchased the F-16 would be modernized probably the Military Aviation Factory in Bydgoszcz.
Mentioned by Kownackie "difficulty" is that aircraft are available in the versions "A" and "B".
Newer machines are type "C" or "D".
The question whether the construction of the '80s (versions "A" or "B") can be upgraded so that they meet the requirements of modern warfare.
Currently, the Polish air force used 48 F-16 aircraft type "C" and "D".
In addition, we also have 32 old MiG-29 and less even more worn-out assault Su-22, which soon should be withdrawn.
Plans to purchase additional machines are at a preliminary stage.
It is difficult to precisely specify the cost of the entire project a. However, you can estimate that it would be approx. 100 million zł per unit.
Buying second-hand aircraft could in a relatively short period of time to improve our capabilities in the air.
The idea, however, has a lot of question marks
Today, we are too weak to defend themselves alone in the air. - To ensure the protection of the Polish sky, we need several patrols consisting of at least two planes.
Bearing in mind that at the same time the air will not be all of them, we need a lot more than 100 machines - tells us Mariusz Cielma of the "New Military Technology".
Buying aircraft can be described as urgent.
Massively buy bombs or rockets to modern aircraft, and we lack the machines themselves - he adds.
On the other hand, when it comes to airplanes, this three years ago in Portugal under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) bought four F-16 version of "A".
Their price at the time of purchase by the US Army was more than 53.5 million dollars.,
Estimated value in 2014. Was less than $ 3 million.
- Airplane F-16 is a bit like Lego blocks. With a frame, or airframe, can be zabudowywać in various configurations.
If we developed a line in Poland modernization, we could raise the possibility of the aircraft on their own - says Col. Krystian Son-, pilot and former instructor at the aircraft F-16, which is now co-owner of the company Fights on Logistics. -
It is estimated that the cost of the upgraded aircraft would be approx. 30 per cent. Prices of the new F-16, and thus approx. 100 million zł.
This amount could fit also create a line of modernization and capability to our F-16s to service in Poland.
This center could also serve other such machines from the region - explains Colonel Son-. The problem is,
however, that this amount would be paying for the aircraft which are only a fraction of the possible service life in comparison to the new ones.
Potential reefs with this idea is at least a few.
Firstly, the Polish plants would have to acquire the necessary know-how to modernize the machine.
And even if someone else has to agree to sell it to us, it still takes time to implement it.
Speaking of time, the most optimistic variant assumes that three squadrons, or 48 planes, could be ready earlier than 4 years.
Finally, another, more long-term issue is that the F-16 will soon be phased out of production. I may encounter problems with buying spare parts.
The global giant Lockheed Martin has already begun to campaign on their newest product, ie aircraft fifth generation F-35. Today, it is without doubt the most modern air combat ship in the world.
The problem is that, like its features, its price also appears to space. - F-35 is, of course, the dream of Polish pilots, but it is far beyond the dreams of Polish taxpayers.
I doubt we could afford it. The first such aircraft cost approx. $ 200 million., Later this price would fall to approx. 80-100 million.
But it has not happened - sums up Mariusz Cielma.