Poland is now a little closer to becoming the first European operator of the F-15 fighter

In the midst of Poland's rearmament process, the Polish Air Force could end up receiving one of the best fighters of recent decades.

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As we have seen here, a year ago Boeing offered the F-15EX Eagle II to Poland: "F-15EX is ready to land in Poland With unparalleled speed, range and payload, the F-15EX would enhance the national security needs of Poland and the NATO Alliance", the US company said in a message posted on Twitter on September 7, 2023. Through its website, Boeing noted that Tim Flood, senior director of Global Business Development for Europe and the Americas, stated: "Poland’s interest in the F-15EX confirms its dedication to the preparedness and effectiveness of its military forces"

However, the Polish government (both the previous one under Mateusz Morawiecki and the current one under Donald Tusk) has not said anything about it yet. After all, the Polish Air Force already has several fighter aircraft procurement programs: last week Lockheed Martin delivered the first F-35A to Poland (in 2020, that country acquired 32 of these fifth-generation American fighters).

Furthermore, in June 2022 Poland announced the purchase of 48 KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle from South Korea, a light fighter aircraft very similar to the F-16. The previous Polish government decided on this model for three reasons: its interoperability with the F-16 (which allows Polish pilots of this aircraft to quickly adapt to the FA-50 and vice versa), its short delivery times, and the transfer of technology by South Korea. The delivery of the first 12 FA-50GFs, the Polish variant of the FA-50 Block 10, had already been completed by November 2023.

Now pending is a second phase consisting of 36 FA-50PL fighters to be delivered between November 2025 and September 2028. The FA-50PL will be the Polish version of the FA-50 Block 20. Although there have been rumors about the possible cancellation of the contract for the purchase of those 36 FA-50PLs, Polish Armaments Agency has denied such speculation and noted that the contract is being executed.

In May, Polish website Defence24.pl reported that "Polish Air Force to Acquire New Aircraft Type" and that a decision on the matter would be made soon. The report stated that the Polish Ministry of Defence had announced its intention to acquire two squadrons of multi-role fighter jets and that it was "seriously considering the bid placed by the Eurofighter consortium, regarding the Typhoon jets", adding: "Boeing (F-15EX), and Lockheed Martin (F-35A) placed their bids as well. This is one of the key modernization programmes in the Polish Air Force, without any decisions made." Around that time there was also talk about the possible acquisition of 32 F-15EX by Poland.

This Wednesday, September 4, Boeing took a new step towards the possible arrival of the F-15EX in Poland: "We’re teaming with local partners @WZL2_SA and Wojskowe Centralne Biuro Konstrukcyjno – Technologiczne. They'll support operation, training & maintenance if Poland selects the #F15EX as its future tactical fighter", announced the American company on Twitter.

On the same day, the Polish state-owned arms company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) announced: "WZL2 and Boeing have agreed to discuss the possibility of carrying out inspections and maintenance of the F-15EX aircraft, including maintenance, repairs and overhauls of aircraft components." WZL2 is Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No.2 S.A., one of the largest aircraft plants in Poland. The announcement was made at the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce.

At on its Facebook page, WZL2 added the following: "The aim of the agreement is to identify future actions that contribute to supporting the Polish Air Force in the country." In case there was any doubt about the current Polish government's interest in acquiring the F-15EX, the signing of the agreement was presided over by the Polish Minister of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak- Kamysz. There is still no official confirmation of the purchase of the F-15EX by Poland, but these facts make it clear that the American fighter has a good chance of ending up sporting the Polish checkered pattern on its wings.

The F-15EX is the most advanced variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber, which made its first flight in 1986 and is a variant, in turn, of the F-15 Eagle fighter, which made its first flight in 1972 and holds the record of never having been defeated in aerial combat after 48 years in service. The F-15EX reaches a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 (2,655 km/h), with a flight ceiling of 18,000 meters and a maximum range of 3,900 km with external fuel tanks.

The F-15EX is a very maneuverable aircraft, as we have already seen here, capable of executing maneuvers that seemed reserved for the F-22. If this acquisition is confirmed, Poland would be the first European operator of the F-15, since until now this aircraft has only been operated by the USA, Israel, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Singapore.

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Main image: Boeing.