Poland moves forward with the modernization of its F-16 fighters to the Viper configuration, with an investment of up to USD 7.3 billion

The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Poland, which includes a mid-life upgrade of the Polish Air Force’s F-16s to the Viper standard.

According to a press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Polish government has requested the purchase of:

58 Improved Programmable Display Generators (48 installed, 10 spares);
58 Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code capability and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (48 installed, 10 spares);
58 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) AN/APG-83 radars (SABR) (48 installed, 10 spares);
Upgrades to Modular Mission Computer (MMC) 7000AH, or equivalent (48 installed, 12 spares);
60 Next Generation Mission Computers (XMC), or next-generation equivalent (48 installed, 12 spares);
73 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suites AN/ALQ-257 (IVEWS), or seventy-three (73) advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suites AN/ALQ-254V(1) Viper Shield, or equivalent (63 installed, 10 spares);
Test systems and vehicles for AGM-158 JASSM missiles, AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder, and Small Diameter Bomb II.

The package requested by Poland includes the integration of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS II), new radios, new Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, and self-defense systems, along with associated logistical components, at an estimated cost of $7.30 billion.

F-16 Viper upgrade — Major items of equipment being modernized on F-16s to bring them up to Viper standard. Image: Lockheed Martin.

The upgrade to the Viper configuration of the F-16 will not only enhance the longevity and effectiveness of the aircraft in service but will also ensure that Poland can operate more effectively within NATO structures.

Since Poland already has 48 F-16C/D Block 52 fighters in its inventory, the integration of these new systems and capabilities should be smooth, allowing the Polish armed forces to absorb the modernization without significant difficulties.

The modernization of Poland’s F-16s to the Viper configuration is part of a broader effort by the Polish Air Force to enhance and upgrade its combat capabilities, which includes the acquisition of 32 fifth-generation F-35A «Husarz» fighters, as well as the replacement of older Soviet-era Su-22 and MiG-29 fighters with 48 Korean KAI FA-50s. The Polish Ministry of Defense is also considering purchasing twin-engine combat aircraft like Boeing’s F-15EX or South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae.