Poland wants to increase its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters in addition to F-35 Lightning II and FA-50 Golden Eagle

Despite the fact that Poland ordered South Korean FA-50 Golden Eagle and American F-35 Lighting II fighters, Warsaw is looking for ways to expand its existing fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.

Here's What We Know

Poland has three squadrons of fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, i.e. 48 aircraft. Also the air forces of the country will receive 48 South Korean FA-50 Golden Eagle paired with 32 American F-35 Lightning II. In addition, Poland will upgrade the F-16s to the Block 72 level.

Expansion of the Fighting Falcon fleet by 2025 will make the Polish army the most powerful in Europe. But there is a nuance. It lies in the fact that there are currently no General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin fighters of the fourth generation available in the world.

The United States cannot fully meet the demand for F-16s, as they have to reduce the rate of decommissioning due to a shortage of F-35 Lightning II aircrafts. In addition, many American Fighting Falcons can already be used only as aerial targets.

Other countries are in no hurry to get rid of F-16s. For example, Denmark has postponed decommissioning of the planes. At the same time, Norway will hand over the Fighting Falcon to the Romanian air force when it will get the F-35 Lightning II.

If we talk about ordering new fourth-generation fighters, there is also a queue for them. Morocco has ordered 25 aircraft, Bahrain 19, Slovakia 14 and Bulgaria 16 (8+8). Also Taiwan wants to upgrade 66 fighters to the F-16V. And do not forget that Turkey still hopes to buy American planes.

Source: Defence24

Images: The Aviationist, Military