Les Forces Armées Polonaises/Polish Armed Forces

Rappel du premier message :

Les Forces armées polonaise est l'une des plus importantes armées de l'Union européenne
Au 1^er janvier 2006, elle comptait 136 200 soldats dont 78 000 professionnels.
L'infanterie est importante en effectifs, l'aviation est moderne, la Pologne dispose aussi d'une petite marine de guerre.
Le président de la République qui est le chef des armées. Ces dernières sont composées de :

• 147 généraux ;
  
• 10 968 officiers supérieurs ;
  
• 14 548 officiers subalternes ;
  
• 43 668 sous-officiers d'active ;
  
• 8 704 soldats du rang d'active
  

L'aviation

• F-16C/D (48 SP)
  
• MiG-29 (45 SP)
  
• C-130E Hercules (5 à pourvoir entre 2007-2009)
  
• Su-22 (48 SP)
  
• An-2 (13 SP)
  
• An-26 (10 SP)
  
• An-28 (12 SP)
  
• CASA C-295 (11 SP 2 en 2009)
  
• Tu-154M (1 SP à la suite du crash d'un des deux appareils)
  
• Yak-40 (4 SP)
  
• PZL TS-11 Iskra (111 SP)
  
• PZL-130 Orlik (37 SP)
  
• Drones RQ-7 Shadow
  

Hélicoptères :

• Mi-2 (50 SP; 5 LMW; 27 LWL)
  
• Mi-8 (11 SP; 26 LWL)
  
• Mi-14 (13 LMW)
  
• Mi-17 (2 LMW; 6 LWL)
  
• Mi-24 (35 LWL)
  
• PZL SW-4 (31 à pourvoir 2005-2008)
  
• Bell-412HP (1 SP)
  

La marine

• 1 sous-marin, type Kilo - ORP Orzeł (291)
  
• 4 sous-marins, type Kobben - ORP Sokół (294), Sęp (295), Bielik (296), Kondor (297)
  
• 2 frégates type Oliver Hazard Perry - OORP gen. K. Pułaski (272), Gen. T. Kościuszko (273)
  
• 1 corvettes, type Kaszub - ORP Kaszub (240)
  
• 2 corvettes lance roquettes, type Mołnia - OORP Metalowiec (436), Rolnik (437)
  
• 3 corvettes lance roquettes-artillerie, type Orkan - OORP Orkan (421), Piorun (422), Grom (423)
  
• 3 chasseurs-destructeurs de mines, type Mewa - OORP Flaming (621), Mewa (623), Czajka (624)
  
• 1 remorqueur, type Gopło - ORP Gopło (630)
  
• 12 remorqueurs, type Gardno - OORP Gardno (631), Bukowo (632), Dąbie (633), Jamno (634), Mielno (635), Wicko (636), Resko (637), Sarbsko (638), Necko (639), Nakło (640), Drużno (641), Hańcza (642)
  
• 4 remorqueurs, type Mamry - OORP Mamry (643), Wigry (644), Śniardwy (645), Wdzydze (646)
  
• 5 navires de transport-poseur de mines, type Lublin - OORP Lublin (821), Gniezno (822), Kraków (823), Poznań (824), Toruń (825);
  
• 2 navires de reconnaissance radio électrique, type Nawigator - OORP Nawigator (262), Hydrograf (263)
  
• 1 navire-école - ORP Iskra II (253)
  
• 1 navire école, type Wodnik - ORP Wodnik (251)
  
• 2 navires d'aide en mer et de secours, type Piast - OORP Piast (281), Lech (282)
  
• 2 navires d'aide en mer et de secours, type Gniewko - OORP Gniewko (R-12), Semko (R-13)(spuszczono banderę w 2006 roku)
  
• 2 navires d'aide et de secours, type Zbyszko - OORP Zbyszko (R-14), Maćko (R-15)
  
• 2 navires hydrographiques, type Heweliusz - OORP Heweliusz (265), Arctowski (266)
  
• 1 navire hydrographique - ORP Kopernik (261)
  
• 1 navire d'appui logistique, type Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki - ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki (511)
  
• 1 navire citerne, type Bałtyk - ORP Bałtyk (Z-1)
  

La marine compte une dizaine d'avions et une trentaine d'hélicoptères.
L'armée de terre

Chars et engins blindés

• T-72 – 597
  
• PT-91 – 233
  
• Leopard 2A4 – 128
  
• BWP-1 – 1307
  
• BWR-1D – 38
  
• BWR-1S
  
• KTO Rosomak – 200 (2009)
  

Hélicoptères

• W-3W Sokół – 36
  
• Mi-2 URP – 27
  
• Mi-24 – 35
  
• Mi-8 – 26
  
• Mi-17 – 6
  

Armes

• Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl
  
• AKMS
  
• UKM 2000
  
• PKM
  
• PM-84P, PM-98
  
• NVS
  
• Browning M2
  
• Accuracy International AWM .338 Lapua Magnum
  
• M107
  
• SAKO TRG 21, 22
  
• HK GMG
  
• Mk 19
  
• Pistolet Wist
  
• Glock 17
  
• HK USP
  

Citation :

Le groupe italien d’aéronautique et de défense fournira cinq hélicoptères W-3WA Sokol au ministère de la Défense polonais. Au total, le groupe décroche des contrats à travers ses filiales AgustaWestland, Oto Melara, DRS Technologies et Selex Sistemi Integrati. Le plus important atteint le montant de 90 millions d’euros et a été remporté par la filiale AgustaWestland à travers sa filiale, PZL Swidnik, auprès du ministère de Défense polonais. Il devra fournir hélicoptères W-3WA Sokol destinés à assurer le transport de personnalités ainsi que sur la mise à jour de quatorze hélicoptères de l'armée polonaise.

http://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/finmeccanica-remporte-des-contrats-pour-200-millions-d-euros.N166624

oula
il aurait pu voir sa cervelle plonger devant lui

Euh le délire!! il a eu chaud..

Citation :

Poland – F-16 Follow-On Support and Additional Munitions

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2012 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Feb. 2 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland of F-16 support and munitions, as well as associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $447 million.

The Government of Poland has requested a possible sale of 93 AIM-9X-2 SIDEWINDER Block II Tactical Missiles, 4 CATM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles, 65 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, 42 GBU-49 Enhanced PAVEWAY II 500 lb Bombs, 200 GBU-54 (2000 lb) Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) Bombs, 642 BLU-111 (500 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 127 MK-82 (500 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 80 BLU-117 (2000 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 4 MK-84 (2000 lb) Inert General Purpose Bombs, 9 F-100-PW-229 Engine Core Modules, 28 Night Vision Devices plus 6 spare intensifier tubes, 12 Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation P5 pods, a Joint Mission Planning System, and five years of follow-on support and sustainment services for Poland’s F-16 fleet, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, system overhauls and upgrades, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $447 million.

Poland is an important ally in Northern Europe, contributing to NATO activities and ongoing U.S. interests in the pursuit of peace and stability. Poland’s efforts in peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to serve U.S. national security interests. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Poland to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future operational needs. The upgrade will allow Poland to continue to bolster its regional leadership while increasing NATO interoperability. Poland already has these missiles and munitions in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing the additional systems into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be Raytheon Corporation in Tucson, Arizona, Raytheon Corporation in Waltham, Massachusetts, The Boeing Company in St.

Charles, Missouri, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma, and United Technologies Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Poland.

However, periodic travel to Poland will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program, technical, and management oversight and support requirements.

DSCA

Mi24W

Tu fais bien de les poster car eux aussi ont des F16 + char occidental..

Northrop a écrit:

Tu fais bien de les poster car eux aussi ont des F16 + char occidental..

Ils commencent à "s'occidentaliser" !

Je vois ils sont héritier de l'ancienne armée "du pacte de varsovie".

Mais vont ils occidentaliser entierement leur armée?

Pour la Marine, ils ont des coques russes avec des systèmes d'armes et de combat d'origine occidental.

Ils font ce qu'ils peuvent.

Comme ca ils peuvent équilibrer leur budget.

ORP Orkan en Finland

https://far-maroc.forumpro.fr/t3233p30-les-forces-armees-polonaises-polish-armed-forces#178326

Frégate ORP G.T. Kosciuszko ( 273 ) aujourd'hui à Gdynia

Citation :

La Pologne va acheter un nouveau sous-marin

Le ministère polonais de la défense a ajouté l’achat d’un sous-marin sur sa liste d’achats d’équipements d’importance stratégique, indique le ministère dans un communiqué.



Les fonds destinés à ce nouveau programme seront prélevés sur ceux prévus pour le projet de corvette Gawron, qui a disparu de la liste récemment mise à jour.

La construction de cette corvette, basée sur le Meko A-100 de ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, doit être arrêtée après plus de 10 ans. Les travaux se déroulent aux chantiers navals publics de Gdansk.

On estime que la décision d’abandonner le projet Gawron va permettre d’allouer près d’un milliard de zloty (238 millions €) à l’achat d’un sous-marin. A ce jour, la Pologne a dépensé 402 millions de zloty (95,8 millions €) pour la corvette inachevée, selon le ministre de la défense, Tomasz Siemoniak.

La marine polonaise dispose d’un sous-marin de la classe Kilo et de 4 sous-marins de la classe Kobben, achetés entre 2002 et 2004 à la Norvège. Ces derniers devraient être désarmés vers 2015.

Defense News

C'est en 1930 que commence la relation de la Pologne avec l'arme sous-marine. En dépit de la situation financière critique à l'époque, le Contre Amiral Swirski entamait un ambitieux programme de développement de la Navy, 3 SM furent commandés chez la France l'ORP WILK, ORP ZBIK et ORP RYS, ils ont couté une somme de 800k$ chacun, c'était des SM d'un déplacement de 1250T et d'une longueur de 78m, capable d'atteindre une vitesse de 9.5nds sous l'eau. 6 ans après, la flotte sera renforcée par 2 autres SM hollandais, ORP Orzel et ORP Sep, avec un déplacement de plus de 1400T, une longueur de 84m, ils avaient une autonomie sous l'eau beaucoup plus inférieure que les SM français.
Ces SM étaient en service dans la Base de Hel aux premiers jours de la guerre, leur concentration dans cette région du Baltique attirera l'attention des allemands qui vont envoyer des moyens navals et aériens pour les détruire. Seul l'ORP n'a pu être détecté par les allemands et il réussira à détruire un dragueur de mines allemand en Octobre 1939, et après 25jours en Mer, il se refugia dans une base suédoise. Les SM ORP Wilk et ORP Orzel vont recevoir plusieurs coups causant des dommages irréparables à Hel, le premier prendra le risque de se diriger vers l'Angleterre, le 2° se refugia en Estonie. Les 2 autres SM vont échapper à plusieurs coups, l'EM polonaise les a ordonné de se diriger vers le Suède.
Les autorités estoniennes décident de désarmer l'Orzel quelques jours après arrivé, pour éviter que les polonais attaquent les navires allemands dans son territoire. Les marins polonais décident de s'échapper le lendemain ( la nuit du 17 au 18 septembre ) avec leur SM ... c'était une mission réussi, mais bientôt ils découvrent le manque d'armement et l'inefficacité de leur canons, les estoniens n'ont laissé que 6 Torpilles à bord. Le 14 Octobre 39 après un long voyage et plusieurs manœuvres pour éviter l'ennemi, le SM réussi à établir une communication avec les anglais, et rejoindra la base de Rosyth ou il sera réparé
En 1940, la RN céda 3 SM à la petite marine polonaise, ORP Sokol, ORP Dzik et ORP Jastrzab, les 2 premier étaient des SM de 54m et d'un déplacement de 750T. L'autre, c'était un vieux SM américain de 1000T construit en 1922, il ne sera livré qu'en 1942. Les SM ayant rejoinds les ports Suédois ne vont plus rejoindre la flotte polonaise qu'après la guerre.
Les SM polonais vont jouer un très grand rôle dans le contrôle du trafic dans la mer du nord, notamment l'ORP Orzel qui va réussir à couler plusieurs navires allemands comme le Rio De Janiero en Avril 1940, c'était le début du débarquement allemand en Norvège. Le 25 Mai il a été perdu, avec son équipage, fort probablement à cause d'une mine.
Dans la nuit du 20 Juin 1940, l'ORP Wilk réussira à couler un SM allemand, l'année d'après il quittera le service actif, et servira seulement pour la formation.
ORP Sokol participera à l'opération Halberd en septembre 41, pour assurer la sécurité d'un convoi pour Malte, c'était la première opération d'un SM polonais en Méditerranée.
Quand au vieux SM Jastrzab, il sera coulé en 1942 quelques semaines après sa réception, alors qu'il escorté une flotte norvégienne, les Destroyers norvégiens croyaient que c'était un SM allemand, ils ont lancé une attaque qui a causé la perte du SM et 4 membres de son équipage.
ORP Dzik se trouvait en méditerranée en Mai 1943, il mena plusieurs opérations contre les convois allemands et italiens il réussira à couler plusieurs ravitailleurs et navires ennemis. Il était basé à Malte. Il réussira à couler plus de 30000T de navires.
L'ORP Sokol et Dzik, vont participer aussi à l'invasion de Sicile en Juin 43. Ils seront basés ensuite à Beyrouth.
A la Fin de la guerre, la flotte polonaise qui a participé activement à la guerre, se trouvait avec 5 de ses 8 SM et un SM pour la formation.
En Octobre 1945, et après un arrangement avec les autorités suédoises, les ORP Sep, Rys et Zbik vont rejoindre la flotte polonaise. Le premier va servir jusqu'à 1959, il sera transformé en SM de formation, et après plusieurs incidents, il quittera définitivement le service vers la fin des 60. Les 2 ont été désarmés en 1955.
Les ORP Sokol et Dzik ont été désarmés entre 47 et 48, et retournée à la RN. L'ORP Dzik a été transféré à la marine danoise.
En 1962, alors qu'ils disposaient que d'un seul SM non opérationnel, la Pologne commence la réception de 4 SM type Wiskey, ORP Orzel ( 292 ), ORP Bielik ( 295 ), ORP Sokol ( 293 ) et ORP Kondor. Cette classe sera désarmée en 86.
Il était prévu de les remplacer de 2 Kilo, à cause d'absence des fonds, seul l'ORP Orzel ( 291 ) sera transféré en 1986. L'absence d'un 2° de ce type sera compensé par 2 Foxtrot, ORP Wilk ( 292 ) et ORP Dzik ( 293 ) qu'ils vont rejoindre la flotte en 1987 et vont servir jusqu'à 2003. Ils seront remplacés par 4 U207 connus en Norvège par la classe Kobben en service depuis 1967, il s'agit de l'ORP Sokol ( 294 ), ORP ( 295 ), ORP ( 296 ) et ORP ( 297 ). Ces SM vont quitter le service d'ici 2015, DCNS essaye de placer le Scorpène ou l'Andrasta pour les remplacer.

ORP Orzel ( 291 )





ORP Sokol ( 294 )



ORP Sep ( 295 )



ORP Bielik ( 296 )

pas de nouveau U allemand pour le moment,c´est pas tres polnisch ca
j´ai cru savoir qu´ils etaient interessés par le U-214

avec la somme de 240M€ ... le U214 sera surment le favoris ...

article speciale 5 ans F16 en pologne,programme,training,etc

Citation :

Five Plus For Poland
By Eric Hehs Posted 7 February 2012

Poland marked five years with the F-16 on 9 November 2011 with a celebration in Poznan, a city of 600,000 about 200 miles west of Warsaw. The event began with a celebratory Mass near the old city center at Adam Mickiewicz University. Then the crowd gathered on the market square near the university at noon when a formation of six F-16s sped by. The flyover was followed by a formal passing of the flag ceremony.

According to the Polish tradition, military bases receive their official flags from the local community. In this case, a new flag, representing the new F-16, was presented by Ryszard Grobelny, the mayor of Poznan. Col. Jacek Pszczola, the commander of the 31st Tactical Air Base, accepted the flag. Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski, the commander of the Polish Air Force, then welcomed the invited guests and local residents of Poznan to the celebration. Attendees were offered cups of traditional soldiers' pea soup and pieces of a 440-pound, F-16-shaped cake.

The celebration marked the delivery of the first Polish F-16 Fighting Falcons, which were flown to the 31st Tactical Air Base at Krzesiny, a suburb of Poznan, on 9 November 2006.

High Standards

The Polish Air Force has accomplished a lot since those first F-16s arrived. The 31st TAB is now a fully functional F-16 base that is home to thirty-two F-16s operated by 3rd Fighter Squadron and the 6th Fighter Squadron. The remaining sixteen F-16s are assigned to the 32nd Tactical Air Base at Lask and are flown by 10th Fighter Squadron. Both bases fall under the 2nd Tactical Air Wing of the Polish Air Force.

The Polish F-16 program began well before the first F-16s arrived. Poland began looking for a replacement for its aging fleet of MiG-21 fighter and Su-22 ground attack aircraft in 1997. The Block 52+ F-16 was chosen in 2002 after an exhaustive competition that involved several other fourth-generation fighters. The contract, signed in April 2003, included forty-eight F-16s (thirty-six single-seat and twelve two-seat aircraft), spare engines, missiles, precision-guided munitions, pilot and maintenance technician training, and a multibillion-dollar offset program.

Polish F-16s are equipped with APG-68(V)9 radar, Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System, color moving map cockpit displays, Link 16, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, Sniper ER targeting pods, and DB-110 reconnaissance pods. The aircraft have provisions for conformal fuel tanks as well. Weapons include AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, and GBU-31 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition. This version of the F-16 is regarded as the most advanced F-16 in NATO.

The initial group of Polish pilots was selected in 2001 before the final aircraft decision was made. After English language training in 2003, the pilots began training in the F-16 with the Arizona Air National Guard training unit in Tucson in 2004.

The first Polish F-16 was flown for the first time on 14 March 2006 from Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft was later sent to Edwards AFB, California, where it was used for weapon qualification testing. Deliveries continued through 11 December 2008, when the last of the forty-eight aircraft arrived in Poland.

Polish pilots and maintenance personnel came up to speed quickly with their new aircraft. For their first exercise, the Polish Air Force, or PolAF, deployed six F-16s to Bold Avenger at Karup AB in Denmark in September 2009. They have participated in numerous exercises and NATO training events since then.

Poland began operating a quick reaction alert with the new aircraft from both of its bases in January 2010. The same year, PolAF graduated its first class of F-16 pilots from its own basic training course, which is conducted by the 3rd Fighter Squadron at Krzesiny. The first NATO force evaluation, conducted on the 6th Fighter Squadron, came in September 2011. The unit passed the evaluation. Five Polish pilots have chalked up more than 1,000 hours in the F-16.

As the first former Warsaw Pact country to operate the F-16, Poland has set some high standards.

Views From The Top

“The purchase of multirole fighters was part of Poland’s commitment as a NATO member,” explained the Honorable Marcin Idzik, Poland’s Undersecretary of State for Armament and Modernization. “F-16 aircraft, or more precisely the F-16 weapon system, beat some very strong competitors in the open tender in 2002. With ten years’ perspective, I can say that the F-16 was a very good choice.” Proof includes the program executing according to schedule, PolAF pilots and maintainers offering positive opinions, and our units participating successfully in a number of NATO exercises. Another confirmation of the good choice is that other countries have since bought F-16s in the same or similar configuration as Poland’s. “The community of F-16 users continues to grow.”

The Polish Air Force plans to send pilots, maintenance personnel, and its F-16s from the 2nd Air Tactical Wing to the United States in 2012 to participate in Red Flag exercises in Alaska. “This is a prestigious as well as one of the biggest and the most difficult military aviation exercises in the world,” said Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski, the Polish Air Force commander. “To be invited to this exercise is a great privilege, but also a tremendous responsibility. I am convinced that our pilots will meet the challenge and will proudly represent our country.”

The intense competition, the size of the contract, and the importance of being an effective NATO member put the program under extraordinary public scrutiny. “Many people were skeptical of the success of the program at first,” recalled Brig. Gen. Wlodzimierz Usarek, commander of 2nd Tactical Air Wing. “We always have supporters and opponents to new ideas. Our selection of the F-16 was no exception.”

Usarek, who himself was involved in the selection process, today enjoys showing his fellow countrymen that the F-16 program is a success and that the money spent on the fighters was well worth the purchase. “The F-16 program attracts people interested in modernizing our armed forces,” he said. “These people bring a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to their work.” Usarek also recognized the US advisors and technical staff who support the program. “We operate well together. Our team has performed beyond our expectations.”

Poland started from scratch in modernizing the 31st and 32nd air bases for the F-16. “Every other air base in Poland knows what we have accomplished with the F-16,” Usarek said. “We have set an excellent example of what can be done with modern equipment.” PolAF is in the process of being certified by NATO and readied to participate in NATO operations. “Five years from now,” he continued, “I would like to see other bases in Poland reach the same standards we are achieving with the 31st and 32nd Tactical Air Bases.”

“Undoubtedly, the F-16 program is a proud achievement for our air force and for our Ministry of National Defence,” Idzik added. “In a relatively short time, we have implemented a modern and complex weapon system while preserving a high level of flight safety and while providing a secure and stable environment for our F-16 pilots to perform their missions.”

Idzik gives credit to the country’s F-16 Program Bureau for much of the success. The bureau, which reports directly to the Ministry of National Defence, was established a month after the original contract was signed in 2003. Its main task is to manage the procurement process and the deliveries of aircraft, weapons, and support equipment. The bureau also coordinates all the training for pilots and maintenance technicians and oversees the modernization of infrastructure associated with the program.

“We are in a good place after five years,” said Andrzej Wasiewicz, director of the bureau. “The aircraft and spares are delivered, and we have all the necessary ground support equipment. The program is now moving from a delivery phase to a sustainment phase.” The current priorities for the Poland F-16 program are to keep the F-16s flying, train additional pilots up to the required ratio of 1.5 pilots per aircraft, and increase operational readiness.

Some of these priorities are being addressed directly by offset initiatives associated with the Polish F-16 program. An F-16 services center at a military depot in Bydgoszcz, northeast of Poznan, is one example. “Some parts affect our readiness rates because we have to ship them to the United States for repair,” noted Tadeusz Pieciukiewicz, deputy director of the F-16 program bureau. “These turnaround times should decrease significantly once we establish an indigenous depot-level repair capability.” That organic capability should be reached by 2016.

The service center in Bydgoszcz will focus initially on hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic systems and then expand to electrical systems and avionics.

Pilot training is another priority for the Polish Air Force. “Our current system for training pilots is not as efficient as we would like it to be,” explained Pieciukiewicz.

Polish pilots are trained at the Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin. Because winters tend to be harsh in Poland, student pilots spend the colder months in class and the warmer months in Polish-built trainers—the PZL-130 Orlik turboprop initially and then the TS-11 Iskra turbojet.

“Ideally upon graduation,” Pieciukiewicz continued, “new pilots should go directly to combat units to convert to combat aircraft. But we must send pilots transitioning to the F-16 to the United States for additional training first, which can take up to two years depending on the availability of training slots. Our training schedule is influenced by many factors out of our control.”

To address this issue, Poland is planning to modernize its pilot training with a new lead-in fighter and an advanced training system.

“We know from experience that the initial purchase of a fighter is the easiest step,” Idzik commented. “Implementing the logistics and training systems to support an entirely new weapon system for the long-term is much more challenging.” PolAF has a detailed support plan that goes through 2020. It is currently taking necessary actions to implement that plan.

In addition to dealing with new aircraft, new support equipment, and new facilities, PolAF also had to deal with its mindset. “Altering our mentality was a much larger challenge,” explained Usarek. “We had to change the way we operate aircraft and the way we train pilots and technicians. But we have adapted very well.”

Training

Most Polish F-16 pilots are sent for English language instruction to the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. The language instruction lasts from four to seven months depending on a pilot’s language proficiency. From the institute, they go through a basic flight and instrument course conducted in the T-38 Talon at several US bases. That course is followed by an introduction to a fighter fundamentals course, which is also conducted in the T-38. Most pilots are introduced to the F-16 at the 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson.

Col. Dariusz Malinowski, commander of 32nd Tactical Air Base at Lask, was a member of the first group of six Polish pilots who went through the training process that began in 2005. “The most difficult part of the training for me involved operating the T-38,” he explained. “I was still getting comfortable understanding a new language and flying a new aircraft at the same time. To make things even more difficult, radio calls were in English with heavy Texas accents.”

Malinowski’s first flight in an F-16 occurred in 2004 a year before his T-38 training. The flight was part of an exchange visit of Texas Air National Guard F-16s to Lask Air Base. “Riding in the backseat, I didn’t have a clue about the various F-16 systems and avionics,” he recalled. “My first F-16 training flight in Tucson a year later was completely different. I flew from the front seat with a knowledge of the aircraft and a command of the language.”

After completing the basic F-16 course, Polish pilots at their operational units in Poland are exposed to capabilities unique to their Block 52+ F-16s. “Our F-16s handle much like the Vipers I trained on in Tucson,” noted Malinowski. “But the similarity ends there. Our Pratt & Whitney -229 engines are much more powerful. The extra power, combined with numerous advanced capabilities, makes our Block 52+ aircraft feel like entirely different fighters.”

As with other senior-ranking Polish pilots who were in the initial F-16 training classes for the Polish Air Force, Malinowski is a former MiG-21 pilot. He and his peers have gone on to accumulate more than 1,000 hours in the F-16. Today, junior-ranking officers are learning to fly the F-16 as their first operational fighter. Whether flight experience in a non-western fighter makes the training easier or more difficult is a topic of discussion.

“I think starting in the F-16 as a new pilot is the best way,” said Malinowski. “Changing habits can be difficult.”

Pilots transitioning from other aircraft have experience with tactics and flying basics. “That previous experience makes it easier than having to learn these skills for the first time in the basic course,” said Capt. Pawel Kowalczyk, a former Su-22 pilot who graduated in early 2011 from the first F-16 basic course conducted in Poland. “However, my air-to-air experience was limited because the Su-22 functions primarily as a bomber. Therefore, much of the air-to-air instruction was new to me.” Former MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots, on the other hand, have to change their approach to basic fighter maneuvers. They have to unlearn some tactical habits. “So I’d say the training is difficult for different people for different reasons.”

More Flying Time

Maj. Adam Wojcik, deputy commander of 6 Squadron at Krzesiny, is a former MiG-21 pilot and one of the first dozen Polish pilots chosen to fly the F-16. He was in the second group to go through the various training courses in the United States.

Wojcik flew the MiG-21 from 1995 to 2001, accumulating 300 flying hours. Flight durations were typically twenty to forty minutes. “The aircraft didn’t carry much fuel and its fuel consumption was very high,” he explained. “Fuel management was important. The most important gauge in the aircraft was the fuel gauge. Landings were touchy because the MiG did not have the fuel to make multiple approaches. Moreover, the MiG-21 wasn’t equipped with sophisticated avionics. The radar wasn’t good. The engine thrust-to-weight ratio was low. The aircraft had no flaps and wasn’t maneuverable. It was challenging to fly. Very unforgiving.”

Poland stopped flying the MiG-21 in 2003.

“We moved the MiGs that used to operate from our base to the ranges,” said Capt. Michal Kras, an F-16 pilot at the 10th FS at Lask. “We use them now as targets for air-to-ground training.”

Kras has accumulated more than 700 hours in his four years of flying the F-16. Polish F-16 pilots now accumulate the same number of hours per year as their NATO counterparts who operate the F-16. “We fly a lot more compared with Polish units flying other types of fighters,” Kras said. “Keeping proficient requires more time in the cockpit and in the simulator. Besides, the F-16 is much more available than the other fighters.”

That availability is supported by both the reliability of the F-16 and the capability of the maintenance force. Poland sent an initial group of maintainers to the United States for training in 2004. That group, in turn, trained and continues to train subsequent maintenance personnel in Poland at Deblin AB. The duration of the courses depends on the maintenance specialty, with most courses lasting about six months.

“Maintenance tasks can be done very quickly on the F-16,” said Capt. Adam Rosiakowski, a former Su-22 maintenance technician and now the lead crew chief at Krzesiny AB. “The aircraft is maintenance friendly. Elements that require regular attention are easier to access. Sixty percent of the panels on the F-16 are removable. That helps a lot.”

Dramatic Changes

The F-16 has dramatically changed the Polish Air Force. Ten years ago, flying units were dedicated to prescribed missions. The multirole F-16 allows the air force to mix air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in a single unit.

“The aircraft has opened our minds to Western tactics, which are totally different from tactics we were flying ten years ago,” said Malinowski.

Back then, ground controllers had the most situational awareness, so that pilots functioned as tools of the ground controller. Today, F-16 pilots operate more independently. They have more flexibility to employ a wider range of weapons and tactics.

“The aircraft is easier to fly and far more capable, so situational awareness has replaced flying skills as the primary concern,” Malinowski added. “That makes us a much more effective force.”

The F-16 Bureau plans to continue to maintain and improve this effectiveness. “We want to keep the capabilities of our new fighters at the highest level,” said Wasiewicz. “We have to build and upgrade our stock of weapons. In addition, we plan to upgrade our flight software and subsystems. We are improving our training system by upgrading and networking our F-16 simulators.”

“Our program for implementing the F-16 into our air force ends in 2013,” added Majewski. “That means that all components of the implemented system—personnel, infrastructure, logistics, technical, and combat support systems—will be ready next year.”

Polish pilots and maintenance technicians are prepared. The first NATO assignment for Poland’s F-16s will depend on politics and on world events, not on the readiness or quality of their personnel or aircraft. The Polish Air Force should have many more anniversaries to celebrate with its F-16.

CodeOneMagazine

Poland marked five years with the F-16 on 9 November 2011.


miam miam c´est bon le F16
Attendees at the Polish F-16 fifth anniversary celebration at Poznan were offered cups of traditional soldiers' pea soup and pieces of a 440-pound, F-16-shaped cake.


tout simplement majestueux
Polish F-16s are equipped with APG-68(V)9 radar, Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System, color moving map cockpit displays, Link 16, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, Sniper ER targeting pods, and DB-110 reconnaissance pods.

..
Polish Block 52+ F-16s have provisions for conformal fuel tanks as well. Weapons include AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, and GBU-31 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition. This version of the Fighting Falcon is regarded as the most advanced F-16 in NATO.


The first Polish F-16 was initially sent to Edwards AFB, California, where it was used for weapon qualification testing.


Poland's Ministry of National Defense selected the Goodrich DB-110 airborne reconnaissance system for use on their F-16 fighters. The DB-110 digital, real-time, tactical reconnaissance system allows pilots to capture images day or night using electro-optical sensor technology. The camera is enclosed in a nineteen-foot pod mounted on the centerline of the F-16. Images are fed in real time into a ground station. The Polish F-16s are the first Fighting Falcons to be outfitted with this pod.


The current priorities for the Poland F-16 program are to keep the F-16s flying, train additional pilots up to the required ratio of 1.5 pilots per aircraft, and increase operational readiness.


Polish pilots and maintenance personnel came up to speed quickly with their new aircraft. For their first exercise, the Polish Air Force, or PoIAF, deployed six F-16s to Bold Avenger at Karup AB in Denmark in September 2009. They have participated in numerous exercises and NATO training events since then.


Col. Dariusz Malinowski, commander of 32nd Tactical Air Base at Lask, was a member of the first group of six Polish pilots who went through the training process that began in 2005.


The Polish Air Force plans to send pilots, maintenance personnel, and its F-16s from the 2nd Air Tactical Wing to the United States in 2012 to participate in Red Flag exercises in Alaska.


Capt. Pawel Kowalczyk, a former Su-22 pilot who graduated in early 2011 from the first F-16 basic course conducted in Poland. The B course was initiated in 2010.


Conformal fuel tanks, which can be used in lieu of wing tanks, free the inner wing store stations and, if needed, double the primary air-to-ground payload. The tanks have a negligible effect on the F-16’s agility, handling qualities, and flight limits.


PolAF is in the process of being certified by NATO and readied to participate in NATO operations.

suite et fin

Kras has accumulated more than 700 hours in his four years of flying the F-16. Polish F-16 pilots now accumulate the same number of hours per year as their NATO counterparts who operate the F-16.


The F-16 has dramatically changed the Polish Air Force. Ten years ago, flying units were dedicated to prescribed missions. The multirole F-16 allows the air force to mix air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in a single unit.


The Polish Air Force has accomplished a lot since those first F-16s arrived. The 31st TAB is now a fully functional F-16 base that is home to thirty-two F-16s operated by 3rd Fighter Squadron and the 6th Fighter Squadron. The remaining sixteen F-16s are assigned to the 32nd Tactical Air Base at Lask and are flown by 10th Fighter Squadron. Both bases fall under the 2nd Tactical Air Wing of the Polish Air Force.


The initial group of Polish pilots was selected in 2001 before the final aircraft decision was made. After English language training in 2003, the pilots began training in the F-16 with the Arizona Air National Guard training unit in Tucson in 2004. The first Polish F-16 was flown for the first time on 14 March 2006 from Fort Worth, Texas. Deliveries continued through 11 December 2008, when the last of the forty-eight aircraft arrived in Poland.


Poland started from scratch in modernizing the 31st and 32nd air bases for the F-16.


The first Polish F-16 was sent to Edwards AFB, California, for weapons qualification testing.


Poland began operating a quick reaction alert with the new aircraft from both of its bases in January 2010.


Poland intends to keep the capabilities of their F-16s at highest level. The Polish Air Force plans to upgrade its flight software and subsystems. Officials are also improving their F-16 training system by upgrading and networking its F-16 simulators.


As the first former Warsaw Pact country to operate the F-16, Poland has set some high standards.


Photos Katsuhiko Tokunaga & Tom Reynolds

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Polish Soldiers from the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade (10BKPanc) during a large scale Armoured Exercise called ‘’KARAKAL 12.” – 22^nd February 2012

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Escadrilles polonaises en Israël

Des avions de combat de type F16 de l’Armée de l’air polonaise seront engagés dès aujourd’hui dans un exercice commun avec l’Armée de l’air israélienne depuis la Base de ‘Ovda dans le Néguev. C’est ce que révèle le quotidien Israël Hayom.

Cette coopération aérienne de Tsahal avec des escadrilles de combat polonaises n’est pas la première du genre. Il y a trois mois, ce sont des avions de combat de l’Armée de l’air italienne et aussi de l’Armée de l’air grecque qui avaient atterri en Israël.

D’autre part, les escadrilles israéliennes aussi ont pris pour habitude de se déployer dans différents pays à l’étranger dans le cadre de coopérations aériennes. Si bien que des avions israéliens ont été accueillis en Italie et en Roumanie.

Dans Tsahal, on manifeste un grand intérêt pour renforcer les relations avec des armées de l’air étrangères. Ces manœuvres communes revêtent une importance stratégique également pour resserer les liens d’Israël avec ces Etats.

L’Armée de l’air juive est considérée comme l’une des plus efficaces au monde. Par conséquent de nombreux Etats manifestent de l’intérêt à de telles coopérations.

La coopération la plus étroite de ce genre qu’il y a eu le fut avec l’Armée de l’air française dans les années 50 et 60. Des pilotes israéliens dans le tout jeune Etat avaient été formés sur des avions de fabrication française de type Mystère et Mirage. Renouer cette coopération aérienne avec la France ne semble pas encore avoir été évoqué pour le moment.

En 2003, des avions de combat de type F 15 de l’Armée de l’air de l’Etat juif ont survolé le camp d’extermination d’Auschwitz Birkenau en Pologne pour un vol de formation de salut. L’initiateur et le commandant de ce vol de formation n’était autre que le Chef entrant de l’Armée de l’air israélienne, le Général Amir Eshel.

http://www.israel7.com/2012/03/escadrilles-polonaises-en-israel

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La marine polonaise prévoit d’acheter des bâtiments de surface et des sous-marins

Le ministère polonais de la défense a présenté un programme de modernisation de sa marine pour les années 2012 - 2030. Il prévoit de dépense près de 900 millions zloty (215 millions €) par an pour moderniser la flotte.



« Sans l’achat de nouveaux matériels, la marine polonaise perdrait sa capacité de combat après 2030, » explique le document.

D’ici 2030, la marine polonaise va acheter 3 sous-marins — dont 2 d’ici 2022 —, 3 autres bâtiments — 2 d’ici 2022, et un d’ici 2036— selon le document.

Le ministère a divisé le programme de modernisation en 3 étapes, qui devront être terminées en 2022, 2026, et 2030.

Il est aussi prévu que la marine achète 6 nouveaux hélicoptères de combat et 6 de sauvetage, 2 systèmes de défense anti-missiles à court portée, 10 drones de surface et 6 aériens.

La marine prévoit que, après 2022, seuls 22 de ses 86 bâtiments actuels seront encore opérationnels.

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