MLU for Polish F-16s

On 23 October 2024, the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Poland for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper Midlife Upgrade (MLU) of all 48 F-16s from the Sily Powietrzne RP (Polish Air Force).

The MLU includes improved Programmable Display Generators, embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR), Modular Mission Computer (MMC) plus related aircraft components, (spare) parts, accessories, missiles, software, documentation, repair and return support. The order is valued at USD 7,3 billion.

Work on the upgrade programme will start in 2026, with a rate of six aircraft per year. Most likely, the work will be carried out at Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. in Bydgoszcz, with the help of technical units of the two F-16 air bases at Poznañ/Krzesiny and Łask.

On 27 December 2002, the Polish government decided to buy new aircraft and the winner of the tender was Lockheed Martin. The contract for 48 F-16C/D was signed on 18 April 2003. Between 2006 and 2009, Poland took delivery of 36 F-16C-52CF and 12 F-16D-52CF fighters under the Peace Sky programme.

The Polish Air Force did not loose a single aircraft, so all 48 F-16s will be upgraded to the F-16 Viper configuration. The upgraded fighters will bolster Poland’s air defence and surveillance capabilities, support national security, and strengthen Poland’s defence and contributions to NATO.

Polish Air Force F-16s are operated by 3. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego and 6. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego at Poznañ/Krzesiny (31.BLT) and 10. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego at Łask (32.BLT).

Credit photo: Richard Baas (Scramble Archive)