"Deliveries of new equipment for Polish Armed Forces aren't slowing down". Further two FA-50s arrive in Warsaw

"Deliveries of new equipment for Polish Armed Forces aren't slowing down. Further two FA-50 aircraft for the Air Force have just landed in Warsaw. By the end of the year we expect further 8 machines," minister Błaszczak announced on X.

The FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a South Korean light combat aircraft. FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a South Korean light combat aircraft. It is fitted with a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon as well as a wide range of underwing weapons, including air-to-air missiles AIM-9 Sidewinder, air-to-ground missiles AGM-65 Maverick, and a variety of air bombs.

Based on the T-50 trainer’s superior performance and an armament storing capability, the FA-50 aircraft is further developed and upgraded with Tactical Data Link, Precision Guided Munitions, and Self Protection subsystem. Featuring a fighter jet-class flight performance, the FA-50 aircraft has been deployed and operated in the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) since 2013.

The Polish MOD has ordered 12 FA-50s. The first batch arrived in Poland in July. Another order assumes delivery of further 36 machines in a polonized version FA-50PL. The ministry said the jets would be used to patrol the Polish airspace and take part in allied missions.

Minister Błaszczak on Monday (August 21) informed about the U.S. approval of the sale of helicopters to Poland. "Important news! The State Department has approved the sale of 96 attack helicopters AH-64E Apache. In line with my arrangements with Defense Secretary L. Austin, until the procedures have been concluded and helicopters purchased by Poland delivered, the U.S. Army will provide us with Apache helicopters from its own stock," the minister wrote.

On Tuesday (August 22), Błaszczak told reporters that the MOD was very glad to hear about the State Department's decision regarding the Apaches. "They are the best attack helicopters in the world. That's what Polish soldiers say. They are way better than the Caracals (Eurocopter EC725 Caracal)" - he said.

Błaszczak also said that "it is a mighty fleet". "96 helicopters, together with 360 Abrams tanks, will form an unpenetrable barrier, they will close the Brest Gate and be at the 18th Mechanized Division's disposal," he added. "They will viably and effectively deter the aggressor from invading the territory of Poland."

Asked if Poland would seek to acquire more helicopters beside the 96 Apaches, Błaszczak said that "when it comes to attack helicopters, it is a sufficient number, a sufficient number to effectively deter the Russian aggressor".

"Naturally, our helicopter fleet is expanding because the multi-role Black Hawk helicopters ordered at PZL Mielec will soon be at the Armed Forces disposal - both the Special Forces and the Land Forces," he announced.

The minister also said that another contract was being negotiated - on two Black Hawk squadrons. "Already this year, the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade will get helicopters from the AW family, ordered in Świdnik - also two squadrons of AW149 helicopters. The Polish Navy already has anti-submarine helicopters from the AW101 family, but we're also negotiating an order for more of the AW101-family, that will be useful for us when comes to transport helicopters," the MOD chief said.