The Polish Air Force utilizes the following aircraft:

Multirole F-16 Block 52+

The first prototype of the F-16 (YF-16) made its first test flight in January 1972. Subsequent test flights were conducted from 1973 to 1976. Finally, the first F-16 was delivered to the United States Air Force in 1978. Over four thousand four hundred and seventeen F-16s have been sold worldwide, making the F-16 one of the most characteristic combat aircraft of our times.

The F-16 Block 52+ is the newest addition to the Polish Air Force's potential. A total of forty eight F-16's has been purchased for the Polish Armed Forces thirty six F-16C and twelve F-16D. These aircraft have been organized into three tactical air squadrons based in Poznan-Krzesiny and Lask.

The Polish F-16's nicknamed "JASTRZAB" (HAWK) are one of the most advanced versions of this aircraft. The main features of the F-16 are: a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbojet engine, glass cockpit, active digital control, multi-role radar, GPS, onboard electronic warfare equipment, passive missile warning, terrain-referenced navigation, external and conformal fuel tanks as well as a Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS).

Maximum atlitude: 15250 m. Maximum velocity: 2700 km/h. Maximum range: 4472 km.

MiG-29 Fulcrum Fighter-Interceptor

The turbojet MiG-29 was designed in 1972 to replace to older and outdated MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft. The MiG-29 was thought to be a lightweight frontline fighter providing support for the powerful Su-27. The prototype made its first test-flight in October 1977. Mass production began in 1978 and the first MiG-29 v. 9.12 (FULCRUM A) were introduced to military service in 1984.

During 1989-1990 Poland acquired its first twelve MiG-29's. These aircraft still remain in service at the 1st Tactical Air Squadron in Minsk Mazowiecki. In 1996 The Polish Air and Air Defence Forces traded its eleven PZL W-3 helicopters for ten Czech MiG-29's. In addition, twenty three MiG-29 were purchased from the German Luftwaffe in 2004. Because of the poor condition of these aircraft, only fourteen of them were directed to service. However, these airplanes had been modernized to NATO ICAO-I and ICAO-II standards and possess the capability to carry external fuel tanks. These MiG-29s are stationed today at the 41st Tactical Air Squadron in Malbork.

Maximum altitude: 18000 m. Maximum velocity: 2400 km/h. Maximum range with fitted external fuel tanks: 2100 km.

Su-22 Fitter Fighter-Bomber

The Su-22 is a Russian fighter-bomber aircraft used extensively by the former Warsaw Pact Nations, in the Middle East, Libia, Vietnam, Peru and Angola. It features a single Lyulka AL-21 F-3 jet engine and variable wing geometry (+28° / +68°). The main air intake is positioned at the aircraft's nose.

The Su-22 is a medium range fighter-bomber, designed to provide air support for ground troops as well as to counteract air threats.Fourty eight Su-22M4 remain is service in the Polish Air Forces. They are dislocated at the 7th, 8th and 40th Tactical Air Squadrons.

Maximum altitude: 15200 m. Maximum velocity: 1850 km/h. Maximum range with fitted external fuel tanks: 2550 km.

CASA C-295M

The CASA C-295M is the latest version of the EADS Spanish transport planes. Over four hundred and sixty C-212, C-240 and C-235 aircraft are used worldwide. The first airplane from the CASA series ? the small C-212 ? was manufactured in 1971. It?s successor, the C-235 was constructed in 1983. The C-295M was designed on the basis of this aircraft. The prototype made its first test-flight in November 1997. It features (in comparison to the C-235) a longer fuselage ? extended by six ribs, a more durable wing caisson, strengthened undercarriage, updated avionics and more powerful engines.

The CASA C-295M is a typical military transport high-wing airplane with a loading ramp at the back. It can carry a maximum payload of 9250kg or ? after installing seats ? seventy eight soldiers.The Polish Armed Forces have ordered ten CASA C-295M aircraft in total ? eight of which have been delivered to the 13th Air Transport Squadron in Cracow-Balice. The Polish CASA C-295M are equipped with the latest GPS stations, chaff launchers, and missile proximity warning modules.

Maximum altitude: ok. 9000 m. Maximum velocity: 480 km/h. Maximum range with a payload of 4000 kg: 4970 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 3,184 PLN.

The An-26 is a transport airplane developed at the Oleg Antonov Design Bureau, USSR. The prototype ? a spin-off from the An-24 passenger plane project ? conducted its first test-flight in 1969. The An-26 is a popular transport plane used by the Air Forces of: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Guinea, Iraq, Croatia, Laos, Libya, Congo, Cuba, Mozambique, Germany, Peru, Poland, Madagascar, Romania, Somalia, Syria, Tanzania, Hungary, Zambia and Russia.The An-26 is capable o carrying approximately forty passengers or a payload of 5500 kg. The Polish Air Force currently uses five An-26 transport aircraft.

Maximum altitude: 7700 m. Maximum velocity: 540 km/h. Maximum range: ok. 1100 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 13,416 PLN.

The first M-28 prototype was designed by PZL Mielec on the basis of the soviet An-28. The prototype was fitted with two PT-6A engines and modernized BENDIX KING avionics. The test-flight was conducted in 1993. A brief tour around both American continents resulted in multiple orders for acquisition of the M-28 ? which was later exported under the name ?Skytruck?. The aircraft was equipped with central fuelling and emergency fuel jettison systems, a modernized ramp door, a side door with retractable stairs and a strengthened front undercarriage.Several aircraft are currently in service with the Navy Aviation Brigade and the Border Guard. Three M-28 are used at the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment in Warsaw.

Maximum altitude: 6000 m. Maximum velocity: 350 km/h. Maximum range with a payload of 1000 kg: 1365 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 5,300 PLN.

The An-2 is the most ?ancient? aircraft still in service in the Polish Air Force. Its prototype ? codenamed Sch-1 ? made its first flight in 1947. After positively passing field tests it was scheduled for mass production in 1948 under the codename An-2. The aircraft was capable of carrying a payload of 1320 kg. However, after fitting the machine with a more powerful 1000HP engine it could lift even 1500 kg.

Over twenty versions of the An-2 have been developed. Depending on their role, they were fitted with different equipment and parts ? i.e. floats for maritime operations. The first An-2 aircraft appeared in Poland in 1951 and began their service with the transport-communication units.

Maximum altitude: approx. 4000 m. Maximum velocity: 258 km/h. Maximum range: ok. 1000 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 1,868 PLN.

The Yak-40 prototype made its maiden flight in October 1966. The first regular passenger flights were initiated in 1968. The constructor?s idea was that the aircraft would be able to carry 20 passengers on a distance of 600 km but already during development the airplane was fitted with 24 seats. The passengers cabin could be converted into twenty seven - and thirty two seat versions. The luxury variants of the Yak-40 were able to take sixteen or twenty people or six VIPs.Both the civilian and the military versions of the Yak-40 came into service in Poland in 1973. Currently four aircraft are used by the 36th Special Air Transport regiment in Warsaw ? as part the VIP transport fleet.

Maximum altitude: 8100 m. Maximum velocity: 510 km/h. Maximum range: 1800 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 15,773 PLN.

The Tu-154 is a medium range airliner developed at the Tupolew Design Bureau in the USSR. They have been used by various countries, including: the former USSR,  Bulgaria, Cuba, Romania, Hungary, China, North Korea and Syria. The prototype made its test-flight in 1968 and the first airplanes came into service in 1972.

The Polish Air Force possesses two Tu-154M Lux aircraft. They are currently in service at the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment in Warsaw as part of the VIP transport fleet. Each plane can carry up to 180 passengers and a crew consisting of four.

Maximum altitude: 11000 m. Maximum velocity: 950 km/h. Maximum range: ok. 3500 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 36,415 PLN.

The program of the new Polish training aircraft for the Air Force had its root during the 70s and 80?s of the 20th century at the PZL Warsaw-Okecie Construction Bureau under the guidance of Mr. Andrzej Frydrychewicz. Firstly, it was thought that that aircraft would be based on a piston engine, later the plans were changed and resulted with fitting the plane with a turboprop engine. The initial project was completed in 1981 ? the aircraft was codenamed PZL-130 Orlik. The second prototype ? for flying tests ? was fitted with a M-14Pm piston engine. During winter 1984 and 1985, two prototypes with the numbers 003 and 004 made their first flights. Later the 004 model was transported to Canada, where it was fitted with a PT6A-25A turbofan engine. Additionally, new hydraulics, new oxygen support, onboard cockpit systems and BENDIX KING navigation modules were installed. Each wing was fitted with a mounting pylon for external fuel tanks. The modernized aircraft was codenamed PZL-130 Turbo Orlik (PZL-130T).

The Polish Air Force uses the PZL-130TC-1 Orlik as the first platform for pilot?s training. This aircraft was developed from the abovementioned PZL-130T. It?s fitted with a Czech produced Walter 601T engine with a 5-blade propeller, ejection seat, flight log computer, satellite navigation module, transponder and radiomarker receiver. In addition, all the onboard systems have been installed in a manner similar to the systems used on the TS-11 Iskra.

Maximum altitude: 10000m. Maximum velocity: 560 km/h. Maximum range: 1100 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 4,768 PLN.

The TS-11 Iskra is the Polish Air Force?s pilot?s secondary platform for their training program. The aircraft was developed in the late 60?s under the supervision of engineer Tadeusz Soltyk ? a lector at the Aviation Institute ? to meet the demands of the Polish Air Force for a new, jet-based flight trainer. The fist prototype ? designed for ground tests ? was built in 1959. The second prototype was fitted with an imported Viper 8 jet engine and made its first test flight in January 1960. After passing factory tests and inspections the model was scheduled for serial production. The first aircraft to leave the PZL Mielec manufacturing plant in 1968 was fitted with a polish SO-01 jet engine.Nearly every air regiment or air squadron possesses a quantity of TS-11 Iskra aircraft at their home base. Overall, fifty four TS-11 Iskra aircraft remain in service in the Polish Air Force.

Maximum altitude: 11500 m. Maximum velocity: 740 km. Maximum range: 1250 km. Maintenance costs per hour: 4,438 PLN.