Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1517379
What Comes Next, in 2024? Certainly, this year is also going to be fruitful for Polish mi- litary aviation. In the first weeks, we may expect the arrival of the first example of the Saab 340 AEW platform fitted with the Erieye radar. The relevant procurement contract was signed in July. As Poland is getting these aircraft se- cond-hand, quick delivery has been made possible. The air- craft would get 3401 and 3402 reg numbers. Both are to be received by the 44th Naval Aviation Base in Siemirowice. One cannot rule out a scenario that the decision on the re- placement of those gap filler airframes is made this year. According to the available information, the Saab aircraft would be operated for around 10 years. Poland sent an RFI to the United States, regarding the possible acquisition of brand-new aircraft as such. Declarations made also suggest that the Karkonosze MRTT procurement program may also be accelerated. Here, due to the long waiting time, the supplier (Boeing or Airbus) may be selected, and a gap-filler solution implemented afterward - whether that would involve leasing of hours at a civil contractor, or a state entity, remains to be resolved, over the upcoming 12 months. It cannot be ruled out that the new leadership at the MoD would continue the plan to reinforce the Air Force by procuring another 32 MRCA. Here, two options are on the table: procurement of more Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II jets, or procurement of a specialized air superiority platform. If the latter scenario becomes a reality, the possible competing bids will include Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F-15EX Eagle II. Further helicopter procurement may also be expected. First, the negotiation process regarding the acquisition of up to 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters has come to an end. Secondly, two multi-role helicopter procurement processes still remain on the table. At the height of the pre-election campaign, the head of the MoD at the time, Mariusz Błaszczak, announced that negotiation was laun- ched on the potential procurement of 22 multi-role AW101 transport helicopters, along with 32 Lockheed Martin S-70i Black Hawks. In both cases, the negotiation resulted in agreements being concluded in 2023. It cannot be ruled out that this procurement would be redefined. The question of further acquisitions remains open. Above all, the above refers to the procurement of a couple of specialized, embarked helicopters for the Miecznik-class frigates. Here we are dealing with 4 to 8 maritime helicop- ters, expected to be lighter than the AW101. Most proba- bly we will be witnessing a tendering procedure between two (potential) bidders, Leonardo, offering the AW159, and Lockheed Martin, offering the MH-60R Seahawks. The new embarked helicopters would replace four Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprites. The matter of helicopter pilot training is another important issue that may be resolved this year. Currently, the training involves, among other types, the lega- cy and obsolete Mi-2s, and the SW-4 Puszczyk helicopters. The latter type should undergo a mid-life upgrade. www.fragoutmag.com