Bydgoszcz, Poland. August 18, 2025 (Agencies) — In a landmark move to bolster its air combat capabilities, Poland has signed a $3.8 billion contract with the United States to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighter jets to the cutting-edge F-16V Block 72 standard.
The agreement was formalized by Minister of National Defence W?adys?aw Kosiniak-Kamysz at the Military Aviation Works No. 2 in Bydgoszcz, a facility owned by the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), where the modernization work will be carried out between 2028 and 2038.
“The current capabilities of the F-16 in the C/D version are good, but after 20 years they are insufficient against threats,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated. “We need to improve reconnaissance capabilities, communications, integration with the F-35, Abrams, and Apaches, as well as the ability to operate in every domain”.
The upgrade will transform Poland’s F-16s into the F-16V configuration, aligning them with the most advanced variant of the Viper platform. Enhancements include the replacement of legacy AN/APG-68(V)9 radars with Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83 AESA SABR system, offering superior tracking, mapping, and electronic warfare capabilities.
Beyond avionics, the modernization package encompasses radar systems, communications, friend-or-foe identification, ground infrastructure, simulators, and training modules. Two aircraft will undergo test flights in the United States, while the remainder will be evaluated domestically.
The deal follows the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s October 2024 approval of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) valued at up to $7.3 billion, which includes optional systems and support equipment.
This strategic upgrade positions Poland’s Air Force to operate seamlessly alongside its incoming fleet of F-35A Lightning II fighters, AH-64E Apache helicopters, and M1A2 Abrams tanks, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank amid ongoing regional tensions.