Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1446249
Although Poland has recently made decisions on the core of the combat aviation that would be formed by three F-16C/D Jastrząb, and two F-35A Lightning II squadrons, solutions that could potentially be adopted by the sixth squadron are still being marketed. Leonardo is becoming one of the main rivals in the domestic market. This year it seemed quite clear that the combat variant of the M-346 - the M-346FA Master - has become the main element of the marketing activities. This is supported by several arguments: the series manufacturing of that aircraft has begun, and the first two examples have already been delivered to the customer - Turkmenistan. Leonardo also mentions the needs of the Polish military and its global competition with other suppliers of such aircraft. Demand for around 3,000 LIFT/light combat aircraft is expected to grow over the upcoming years, on the global market. In the case of Poland, the fact that the Polish Air Force already operates the M-346 AJT platform is an important argument. This, meanwhile, means that the cost of potential procurement could be diminished, as the training process could be completed locally, in Poland, using the existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the need to establish a logistics support chain for a whole new aircraft could be dismissed. Leonardo claims that the M-346FA could be a perfect complement for the F-16C/D Jastrząb, and F-35A Lightning II, reducing the workload imposed on the personnel and the crews in less demanding roles, such as Air Policing, or CAS. Alongside the M-346FA, Leonardo also presented a scale model of the Eurofighter platform that used to be marketed in the Polish Harpia MRCA procurement program. Currently, it is tough to imagine, despite the ongoing analysis, that aircraft as such are procured, as a crucial addendum to the Air Force's potential, especially in the air superiority domain, to maintain that superiority until allied support is provided in the event of a potential crisis. Lockheed Martin was another MRCA manufacturer present in Kielce. Similar to the event that took place 2 years ago, an F-35A mock-up was one of the highlights of the US company's exhibition stand. Currently, the Polish procurement is at the stage of assembly launch, at the Fort Worth facility. According to the adopted schedule, the first Polish F-35A is to appear on the production line in 2022. We are referring to a Block 4 aircraft with a TR3 upgrade, implemented within the 15th lot. The formal delivery is expected to happen in 2024. However, the first six examples are to initially remain in the United States, and they would be used to provide training to the Polish Air Force personnel. The list of potential locations where this could happen includes the Luke AFB in Arizona, hosting the international training center, but other AFBs could also play that role. The first F-35A jets are to arrive in 2026, with full operational readiness expected to be achieved in 2030. As we know, the first squadron is to be stationed at the 32nd Airbase in Łask. Interestingly, Combat Aviation EXHIBITION