F-35 the Polish are Coming

[neptune]

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... dy-443697/

Poland launches new fighter study

28 November, 2017
BY: Bartosz Glowacki

Warsaw
The Polish defense ministry's armament inspectorate has launched the analysis/market survey phase of a process supporting a new multirole fighter selection. According to the defense ministry, the proposed "Harpia" acquisition "should increase the Polish air force's capability to perform offensive and defensive counter-air missions, and to support land, sea, and special operations". Defense ministry officials say Warsaw intends to equip at least two squadrons of new aircraft – 32 units – with deliveries to start in 2024. The selected type will replace the air force's current fleets of 31 RAC MiG-29 fighters and 18 Sukhoi Su-22 ground-attack aircraft. Warsaw is also looking to obtain an electronic warfare capability, but is not clear if this mission will be performed using the new fighter or a dedicated type. Potential bidders are required to submit responses including a general description of their proposed equipment by 18 December. Selected contenders will later be issued with a request for information. Likely candidates for the Harpia requirement include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and a US government-backed proposal with the Lockheed Martin F-16V.


....hopefully they can consider a NATO squadron (or two) of F-35s!


NATO member specs;
38.5 mil pop; 15GDP $475B; 15Mil $12.6B; 2.6%

[nutshell]

Sucks to be Shoygu.

Hopefully Poland will lead more eastern european countries in their decision to join the alpha side of the force (f35 ofc).

[white_lightning35]

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/pol ... 0821080424

Polska stronk!

They're replacing 49 planes with 32?

[popcorn]

So it's a choice between 50-100 refurbished Vipers and 32 F-35s?

[Corsair1963]

So it's a choice between 50-100 refurbished Vipers and 32 F-35s?

Poland already said secondhand F-16's were off the table. Nonetheless, I would be "shocked" if Poland didn't acquire the F-35....

[neptune]

So it's a choice between 50-100 refurbished Vipers and 32 F-35s?

Poland already said secondhand F-16's were off the table. Nonetheless, I would be "shocked" if Poland didn't acquire the F-35....

....It would be a "win-win" if Poland and Belgium both selected the F-35 as NATO Squadrons.

[grab6303]

Need to offer a discount on F-35s if that is what it takes. A strong Polish Air Force is a necessity.

[steve2267]

Need to offer a discount on F-35s if that is what it takes. A strong Polish Air Force is a necessity.

I don't know what a brand spanking new F-16V would sell for these days, but it would seem the flyaway cost of an F-35A is already less expensive than the EF, and it would seem the Rafale as well. So much FUD from Boing these days, dunno what a straight up cost comparison between the Lightning and Super Duper is. Also have no idea what Gripen-E's are selling for. Poland might possibly get a deal from the Swedes who are probably desperate for orders, but I highly doubt the Gripen meets Poland's needs.

As long as Lightning prices continue to track down nicely, I think it shapes up well for Poland.

[mixelflick]

Hopefully, they're not following the Canadian acquisition model...

[archeman]

Hopefully, they're not following the Canadian acquisition model...

Very unlikely, Poland has real threats. The biggest concern Canada has had in the last 100 years was the theft of Maple Syrup from strategic reserve storage tanks. Turns out that was an inside job...

[bojack_horseman]

As long as Lightning prices continue to track down nicely, I think it shapes up well for Poland.

One of the main reasons the Poles are even considering this is that the new-ish government expressed disatisfaction at the price paid for the 48 F-16s a decade ago.

$72m each or around $90m when loan interest was tallied together.
This for 36 single seater and 12 twin seater Block-52s.

So, If they can procure the vastly more capable F-35 plus a support package for $110m a unit (roughly what the Danes are aiming for) I think they will pull the trigger.

Bahrain signed a deal today confirming their order for 16 x F-16Vs for $2.3bn (including support).

[white_lightning35]

Hopefully, they're not following the Canadian acquisition model...

Very unlikely, Poland has real threats. The biggest concern Canada has had in the last 100 years was the theft of Maple Syrup from strategic reserve storage tanks. Turns out that was an inside job...

Wellllllll....... Maybe last seventy. There was that rather serious incident a while back, you might remember...

[neptune]

...So, If they can procure the vastly more capable F-35 plus a support package for $110m a unit (roughly what the Danes are aiming for) I think they will pull the trigger....

...."replace the current fleets of 31 MiG-29 and 18 Su-22..." could allow them to develop the infrastructure for the NATO F-35 squadrons and bring the Polish industries into the F-35 manufacturing opportunities that could also help to strengthen their industrial economy.

As the upgrading of the NATO enlargements 4-7 (eastern European) countries provides opportunities with the F-16s in the replacement of the dismantled Soviet airforces. The F-16 infrastructure establishment into the NATO organization allows them to invest in maintenance and base developments that NATO can share. Whether they have a squadron or two of F-16s, being organized into the NATO wings will assure them the mutual support for their national independence; Ukraine as an example.