Poland has signed a $3.8 billion deal to modernize its air force fleet of F-16 fighter jets, Reuters reports, citing a statement by Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Koszyniak-Kamisz, BTA reports.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the country has been increasing its defense spending and plans to allocate 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to the armed forces by 2026.
The Polish Air Force has 48 F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighters, delivered between 2006 and 2008, the Polish PAP agency reports.
Minister Kościńska-Kamiś specified that the modernization will take place at the military aircraft factory in Bydgoszcz. "The current capabilities of the F-16 in the C/D variant are good, but 20 years later they are already insufficient against modern threats," he noted.
The minister stressed the need to improve intelligence capabilities, communication and integration with the F-35 multi-role stealth fighters, M1 Abrams tanks and Apache helicopters. The goal is for the Polish Air Force to be able to operate effectively in all areas of combat operations.
Earlier this month, Poland signed a second multi-billion dollar deal with South Korean industrial group Hyundai Rotem for the supply of tanks.