Poland wants to buy fifth-gen fighters under $49B modernization program

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Poland plants to acquire new jets to replace its outdated Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-22 and Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft, the latter of which is shown here.(Czarek Sokolowski/AP)


Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced Thursday he signed a military modernization plan document under which the country will spend 185 billion zloty (U.S. $49 billion) on new weapons and military equipment by 2026.


The acquisition of 32 fifth-generation fighter jets is one of the priority procurements that are to be carried out under the program, the minister said.


“I expect both the chief of the General Staff, and the chief of the Armament Inspectorate to immediately initiate actions to perform this task,” Blaszczak said in a Feb. 28 ministerial statement.


The acquisition aims to help Poland replace its outdated Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-22 and Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft.


Other acquisitions to be financed by the multiyear program include short-range air defense systems, combat helicopters, cybersecurity systems and new submarines for the Polish Navy, according to Blaszczak.


For 2019, the Defence Ministry has a budget of close to 44.7 billion zloty, an increase of 9 percent compared with a year earlier.