U.S. approves sale of F-16 sustainment and equipment to Poland

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of F-16 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $389 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today," the DSCA said.

"The estimated total cost is $389 million," the agency added.

It also said the sale "will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing the reliability of their F-16 fleet".

"Poland has purchased sustainment support for the F-16s in its inventory for many years, and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," we read.

"The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale," the DSCA added.

In late August, PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company and one of Poland’s longest established aircraft manufacturers, celebrated completion of the first F-16 Block 70/72 aft fuselage to be manufactured in Poland.

"The production of F-16 Block 70/72 structures at PZL is located in a comprehensively modernized hall. That's 14,000 square meters of space. In the past, military jet aircraft were produced here," said Janusz Zakręcki, president and general director, PZL Mielec. 

"I am glad that Lockheed Martin appreciated the competence of our employees and the potential of this place and decided to locate the F-16 structures production here. It is also evidence of Lockheed Martin's commitment to the development of PZL Mielec and industrial cooperation in Poland."

"Our collaboration on the F-16 program in Poland demonstrates our commitment to fostering local industrial capabilities," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. 

"Today’s milestone completion of the first aft fuselage F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft structure is the culmination of work that began in 2021, and we’re honored to continue this partnership," Sanchez added.