PUBLISHED on August 17, 2025, 9:28 AM EDT – Key Points and Summary: Poland is undertaking a significant military modernization effort to counter the threat posed by Russia. In a new $3.8 billion deal, Warsaw will upgrade its entire fleet of 48 F-16s to the advanced F-16V configuration.
-This move complements Poland’s acquisition of 32 F-35A stealth fighters, with Polish pilots already training in the U.S.
-In addition to bolstering its air force, Poland is also strengthening its ground forces, recently finalizing a $6.5 billion agreement to acquire 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea, a significant portion of which will eventually be produced domestically.
-Poland stands on the Eastern flank of NATO, so its defense is especially important at the moment.
Poland’s Military Is Getting a Massive Upgrade
As part of that, Poland has been seeking to modernize its defense capabilities, and the latest step entails an upgrade to its fleet of F-16s.
As reported by The War Zone, Poland has signed a $3.8 billion contract to “upgrade the country’s 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ Viper fighters to the F-16V configuration.”
The upgrade was announced by Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and the work itself will be completed by Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 S.A. (Military Aviation Works No. 2).
“Over 20 years ago, our predecessors made the choice of aircraft to replace the post-Soviet equipment in the Polish Air Force. We chose the F-16, and it was a very good decision—a proven aircraft, a platform capable of extraordinary combat operations,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said this week, in what TWZ described as a machine translation of a Polish-language statement from the government. “The current capabilities of the F-16 C/D version are good, but after 20 years, they are insufficient to address the threats. We need to improve reconnaissance capabilities, communications, integration with the F-35 … as well as the ability to operate in any domain.”
F-35s, Too
The report added that Poland is also ” in the process” of obtaining 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The US Air Force announced back in February that a Polish Air Force F-35A Lightning II pilot had taken the first flight with such an aircraft at Ebbing Air National Guard in Arkansas.
“In this era of strategic competition, we’re committed to equipping our allies with the capabilities they need while also fostering greater interoperability,” Col. Dave Skalicky, 33rd Fighter Wing commander, said in the Air Force statement in February.
“From last September’s operational debut with the F-35 to the student training that’s going on now, the team at Ebbing is showing their value to allied defense around the globe. Having these pilots make their country’s first F-35 flights here in Fort Smith and knowing the teamwork at all levels it took to get us here—it’s an extremely powerful, rewarding feeling.”
The training had begun back in October of 2024.
“This is a historic moment for the Polish Air Force, and we are honored to be training alongside our US counterparts at Ebbing,” an unnamed Polish student pilot said in the Air Force’s release. “The F-35A is a game-changing platform, and we are confident that our pilots will benefit greatly from the world-class instruction and facilities available here. We thank our American friends for their hospitality and cooperation, and we look forward to a successful and productive training experience.”
Tanks, Too
Earlier this month, Poland reached an agreement to spend $6.5 billion on 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea, Defense News reported. While the first tanks will be manufactured in South Korea, Poland will take over the production after that.
“Under the plan, the tanks are to be supplied to the Polish Armed Forces between 2026 and 2030. Of these, 116 tanks will be produced in the K2GF variant which is manufactured in South Korea, and 64 vehicles will be procured in the K2PL variant, the Polish ministry said in a statement,” as reported by Defense News.
“The new units will be better equipped than the existing ones, and production will be launched next year. In the years 2028 to 2030, we plan to have full-scale domestic production,” Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a statement.
Poland had earlier ordered a batch of the tanks in 2022. Defense News described the deal as Poland further shoring up its fleet, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
