U.S. Approves $7.3B F-16 Upgrade for Poland

The United States has approved a $7.3 billion sale to upgrade Poland's fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

The package aims to bolster the defenses of Poland, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, which remains in conflict with Russia. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed the State Department’s approval of the deal, which now awaits Congressional review.

The upgrade, known as the F-16 Viper Midlife Upgrade (MLU), is designed to enhance Poland’s air defense and surveillance capabilities, strengthening its contributions to NATO. The deal includes key components like the AN/APG-83 AESA radar for improved tracking, Viper Electronic Warfare Suites for threat detection, and GPS and navigation systems. Also included are new air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, such as AGM-158 JASSM missiles and Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) II, GBU-53/B.

Produced by Lockheed Martin, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole fighter suited for varied missions from air combat to precision strikes. Poland’s upgraded F-16s will integrate enhanced radar, communication, and targeting technologies, supported by spare parts and technical support for operational readiness.