48-strong F-16 fleet to be upgraded to Viper standard in major defence capability boost.
Poland has taken a decisive step forward in strengthening its air combat capability by finalising an agreement with the United States to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16 Block 52+ fighters to the latest F-16V (Viper) configuration.
The Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), signed on 14 August 2025 in Bydgoszcz, confirms Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor and marks a major milestone in Poland’s long-term defence modernisation roadmap.
The comprehensive upgrade will significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Polish Air Force’s F-16 fleet, ensuring full NATO interoperability and extending the service life of the aircraft to 12,000 flight hours.
Key enhancements include:
- APG-83 AESA radar for advanced threat detection and targeting
- High-resolution Center Pedestal Display
- Upgraded mission computer and new display generator
Additional upgrades involve:
- Advanced helmet-mounted tracking systems
- Electronic warfare improvements
- Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod with DVI
- Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS)
- Structural modifications for extended fatigue life
Simulator systems will also be upgraded as part of the agreement.
Strategic Partnership
This programme builds on Lockheed Martin’s 20-year collaboration with the Polish Air Force. According to Nick Smythe, vice president of Sustainment Campaign Strategies and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, the F-16V enhancements “keep the F-16 interoperable with 5th Generation platforms like the F-35, aligned with NATO missions and backed by sustained readiness and partnership with Polish industry.”
The upgrade work will be performed locally through a partnership with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 (WZL-2), fostering Polish industrial participation and workforce development. Lockheed Martin has already invested $1.8 billion into Poland’s defence ecosystem over the past decade, deepening industrial cooperation and expanding supply chain capacity.
With the Viper modernisation programme now moving ahead, Poland reinforces its commitment to NATO defence capabilities and regional security — ensuring its F-16 fleet remains a modern, battle-ready force well into the next decade.
