| Polish Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Siły Powietrzne | |
 | |
| Founded | de facto: 1917; 108 years ago (1917)[1] de jure: 1918; 107 years ago (1918)[2] |
| Country |  Poland |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | |
| Part of | Polish Armed Forces |
| March | Marsz Lotników (March of Aviators)[5] |
| Engagements | Polish–Ukrainian War Polish–Soviet War World War IIWar in Iraq War in Afghanistan Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Karol Nawrocki |
| Minister of National Defence | Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz |
| Chief of the General Staff | GeneralWiesław Kukuła |
| General Commander | Generał broni Marek Sokołowski |
| Inspector of the Air Force | Generał brygadyIreneusz Nowak [pl] |
| Insignia | |
  | |
| Ceremonial flag[6] |  |
| Garrison flag[6] |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16,F-35,MiG-29,FA-50 |
| Helicopter | Mi-8,Mi-17,Mi-2,PZL W-3,PZL SW-4,S-70i |
| Reconnaissance | PZL M-28,TB2,MQ-9,Saab 340 |
| Trainer | PZL-130,M-346 |
| Transport | C-130,C-295,M-28,737 |
ThePolish Air Force (Polish:Siły Powietrzne,lit. 'Air Forces') is theaerial warfarebranch of thePolish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known asWojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (lit. 'Aerial and Air Defense Forces'). In 2014 it consisted of roughly 26,000 military personnel and about 475 aircraft, distributed among ten bases throughout Poland.
The Polish Air Force can trace its origins to the second half of 1917 and was officially established in the months following the end ofWorld War I in 1918. During theinvasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, 70% of its aircraft were destroyed. Most pilots, after theSoviet invasion of Poland on 17 September, escaped via Romania and Hungary to continue fighting throughoutWorld War II in allied air forces, first in France, then in Britain, and later also the Soviet Union.
Military aviation in Poland started even before the officially recognised date of regaining independence (11 November 1918). The first independent units of the Polish Air Force, in service to the re-emerging Polish sovereign state, were actually formed before, in 1917, beforeWorld War I had come to an end.[2] When theRussian Revolution began and the tsardom gradually lost control of the country, Polish pilots took advantage of the chaos and formed spontaneous aerial units in areas of present-day Belarus, south Ukraine, and by theKuban river.[1] Up until that point Polish pilots had only flown as members of Russian, German or Austro-Hungarian militaries.[2] The first known air force units in service to the re-emerging Polish state were:I Polski Oddział Awiacyjny (1st Polish Aviation Squad) inMinsk formed on 19 June 1917,[1] the 1st and 2nd Aviation Units of the 2nd Corps, the aerial fleet of the4th Rifle Division, as well as theSamodzielny Polski Oddział Awiacyjny (Independent Polish Aviation Squad) inOdesa.[7]
_(14779758884).jpg)
Poland was under German and Austro-Hungarian occupation untilthe armistice, but the Poles started to take control as theCentral Powers collapsed. Initially, the Polish air force consisted of mostly German and Austrian aircraft, left by former occupiers or captured from them, mostly during theGreater Poland Uprising. These planes were first used by the Polish Air Force in thePolish-Ukrainian War in late 1918, during combat operations centered around the city ofLwów (nowLviv).[8] On 2 November 1918 pilotStefan Bastyr performed the first combat flight of Polish aircraft from Lwów.[9]
When thePolish-Soviet War broke out in February 1920, the Polish Air Force used a variety of former German and Austro-Hungarian, as well as newly acquired western-madeAllied aircraft. Most common at that time were light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, among most numerous were FrenchBreguet 14 bombers, GermanLVG C.V reconnaissance aircraft, BritishBristol F2B scouts and ItalianAnsaldo Balilla fighters.[10]
After thePolish-Soviet War ended in 1921, most of the worn out World War I aircraft were gradually withdrawn and from 1924 the air force started to be equipped with new French aircraft. In total in 1918–1924 there were 2160 aircraft in the Polish Air Force and naval aviation (not all in operable condition), in which there were 1384 reconnaissance aircraft and 410 fighters.[10] From 1924 to 1930 the primary fighter of the Polish Air Force was theSPAD 61 and its main bombers were the French producedPotez 15 and thePotez 25, which was eventually manufactured in Poland under license from Aéroplanes Henry Potez.
The first Polish-designed and mass-produced aircraft to serve in the country's air force was a high wing fighter, thePWS-10, first manufactured in 1930 by the Podlasie Aircraft Factory.
In 1933,Zygmunt Pulawski's first high wing, all-metal aircraft, thePZL P.7a, was designed and produced, with 150 entering service. The design was followed by 30 improvedPZL P.11a aircraft and a final design, thePZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 and was a respectable fighter for its time; 175 entered service and it remained the only Polish fighter until 1939, by which time foreign aircraft design had overtaken it. Its final version, thePZL P.24, was built for export only and was bought by four countries. A new fighter prototype, thePZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to theSeversky P-35 in layout, was curtailed by the Nazi invasion and thePZL.38 Wilk twin-engine heavy fighter remained a prototype.[8]
As far as bombers are concerned, the Potez 25 andBreguet 19 were replaced by an all-metal monoplane, thePZL.23 Karaś, with 250 built from 1936 onwards, but by 1939 the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber, thePZL.37 Łoś (Elk). The Łoś had a bomb payload of 2580 kg and a top speed of 439 km/h. Unfortunately, only about 30 Łoś A bombers (single tailfin) and 70 Łoś B (twin tailfin) bombers had been delivered before the Nazi invasion.
As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polishescadres used the slow and easily damagedLublin R-XIII, and later theRWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used the Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes, theCANT Z.506, were ordered, but only one was delivered, and it was without armament. The principal aircraft used to train pilots were the Polish-built high-wingRWD-8 and thePWS-26 biplane. In 1939, Poland ordered 160MS-406s and 10Hawker Hurricane fighters from abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of the war.
On 1 September 1939, at the beginning of theinvasion of Poland, all the Polish combat aircraft had been dispersed to secondary airfields, contrary to a commonly held belief, based on German propaganda, that they had all been destroyed by bombing at their airbases. The aircraft destroyed by German bombers on the airfields were mostlytrainers. The fighters were grouped into 15 escadres; five of them constituted thePursuit Brigade, deployed in theWarsaw area. Despite being obsolete, PolishPZL-11 fighters shot down over 170 German aircraft. The bombers, grouped in nine escadres of theBomber Brigade, attacked armoured ground columns but suffered heavy losses. Seven reconnaissance- and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular armies, were used primarily for reconnaissance. Part of the Polish Air Force was destroyed in the campaign; the surviving aircraft were either captured or withdrawn to Romania, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia or Sweden, whose air forces subsequently employed these aircraft for their own use (in the case of Romania until 1956).[citation needed] A great number of pilots and aircrew managed to escape to France and then to Britain, where they played a significant part in the defence of the United Kingdom against Nazi invasion, during theBattle of Britain. Prior to the conflict Poland also bought 234 planes abroad. First of them were on delivery when the conflict started. These wereHawker Hurricane (14 planes),Morane-Saulnier 406 (120 planes) andFairey Battle (100 planes). The shipSS Lassell with 14 Hawker Hurricanes on board left Liverpool on 28 August 1939, deliveries from France were also on way when the conflict broke out.[11]
| Aircraft[12] | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| PZL P.11 | Poland | Fighter | 175 | Combat formations consisted of 140 | ||
| PZL P.7 | Poland | Fighter | 105 | Combat formations consisted of 30 | ||
| PZL.23A | Poland | Light bomber | 35 | |||
| PZL.23B | Poland | Light bomber | 170 | Combat formations consisted of 120 | ||
| PZL.43 | Poland | Light bomber | 6 | Combat formations consisted of 6 | ||
| PZL.46 Sum | Poland | Light bomber | 2 | Combat formations consisted of 1 | ||
| PZL.37 Łoś | Poland | Medium bomber | 86 | Combat formations consisted of 36 | ||
| LWS-6 Żubr | Poland | Medium bomber | 15 | |||
| Surveillance | ||||||
| Lublin R XIII | Poland | Spotter | 150 | Combat formations consisted of 55 | ||
| RWD-14 Czapla | Poland | Reconnaissance | 60 | Combat formations consisted of 40 | ||
| RWD 8 | Poland | Reconnaissance | 550 | Combat formations consisted of 20 | ||
| PWS-16 | Poland | Reconnaissance /Trainer | 15 | Combat formations consisted of 15 | ||
After the fall of Poland, the Polish Air Force started to regroup in France. The only complete unit created before the German attack on France was theGC I/145 fighter squadron, flyingCaudron C.714 light fighters. It was the only unit operating the C.714 at the time. The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mostly on theMS-406. After the surrender of France, many of these pilots managed to escape to Britain to continue the fight against the Luftwaffe.
Following thefall of France in 1940, Polish units were formed in the United Kingdom, as a part of theRoyal Air Force and known as the Polish Air Force (PAF). Four Polish squadrons were formed:
The two Polish fighter squadrons first saw action during the third phase of theBattle of Britain in August 1940, with much success; with many of the pilots being experienced and battle-hardened during theInvasion of Poland. The pilots were regarded as fearless, often bordering on reckless. However, success rates for these squadrons were often greater in comparison to UK and Commonwealth squadrons, with the 303 Squadron becoming the most efficient RAF fighter squadron at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew individually in other RAF squadrons.
AsWorld War II progressed, a further twelve Polish squadrons were created in the United Kingdom:
The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then switched toSupermarine Spitfires, and eventually toNorth American Mustangs. 307 Squadron, like othernight fighter squadrons (such as410 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force), flewBoulton Paul Defiants,Bristol Beaufighters and finallyde Havilland Mosquitoes. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped withFairey Battles andVickers Wellingtons. 300 Squadron was later assignedAvro Lancasters, 301 SquadronHandley Page Halifaxes andConsolidated Liberators and 305 Squadron,de Havilland Mosquitoes andNorth American Mitchells. 663 Squadron (air observation/artillery spotting) flewTaylorcraft Auster IIIs and Vs. After the war, all equipment was returned to the British, but only some of the pilots and crews actually returned to Poland, with many settling in the United Kingdom, some of whom returned to Poland in 1989 after the fall of communism.
Along with the Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) in theUSSR, the Polish People's Air Force(Ludowe Lotnictwo Polskie) was created, in defence of the Soviet Union against Nazi invasion. Three regiments were formed in late 1943:
During 1944–5, further regiments were created, coming together to form the 1st Mixed Air Corps, consisting of a bomber division, an assault division, a fighter division and a mixed division. After the war, these returned to Poland and gave birth to the air force of thePeople's Republic of Poland.
In 1949, theLi-2sb transport aircraft was adapted into a bomber and in 1950, Poland receivedPetlyakov Pe-2 andTupolev Tu-2 bombers from the Soviet Union along withUSB-1 andUSB-2 training bombers. In 1950 also, theYak-17 fighter came into service, as did theIlyushin Il-12 transport and theYak-18 trainer. From 1951 onwards, the Polish Air Force was equipped withYak-23 jet fighters andMiG-15 jets, along with a training version, theMiG-15 UTI, and later, in 1961, theMiG-17.
As well as Soviet-produced aircraft, from 1952 onwards Soviet MiG-15 and later MiG-17 fighters were produced under licence in Poland as the Lim-1, Lim-2 and later the Lim-5. A domestic ground attack variant of the Lim-5M was developed as the Lim-6bis in 1964. The only jet bomber used by the Polish Air Force during this period was theIlyushin Il-28, from 1952 onwards. Poland used only a small number ofMiG-19s from 1959, in favour of theMiG-21 from 1963 onwards, which became its main supersonic fighter. This aircraft was used in numerous variants from MiG-21F-13, through MiG-21PF and MF to MiG-21bis. Later, the Polish Air Force received 37MiG-23s (1979) and 12MiG-29s (1989).
The main fighter-bomber and ground attack aircraft after 1949 was theIl-10 (a training version, theUIl-10, entering service in 1951). From 1965 onwards, Poland also used a substantial number ofSu-7Bs for bombing and ground attack, replaced with 27Sukhoi Su-20s in 1974 and 110Sukhoi Su-22s in 1984.
Propeller-driven training aircraft, theJunak-2 (in service since 1952), theTS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and thePZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958) were later replaced by a jet trainer, the domestically builtTS-11 Iskra. Another Polish jet trainer, thePZL I-22 Iryda, was used for some time but, because of continuing problems, all machines were returned toPZL for modification and did not resume service. TheYak-12 was used as a multirole aircraft from 1951, theAn-2 from 1955 and subsequently theWilga-35 P.
Transport aircraft used by the Polish Air Force during this period included: theIl-14 (first in service in 1955), theIl-18 (first in service in 1961), theAn-12B (first in service in 1966), theAn-26 (first in service in 1972), theYak-40 (first in service in 1973) and theTupolev Tu-154. A number of helicopters were used by the Polish Army: the SM-1 (aMil Mi-1 manufactured under licence), which was a multirole helicopter, in operation since 1956; theMil Mi-4, multirole, since 1958; thePZL SM-2, multirole, since 1960; theMil Mi-2 andMil Mi-8 (later alsoMil Mi-17), multirole, since 1968 and theMil Mi-24, a combat helicopter, since 1976. Also theMil Mi-14, an amphibious helicopter, and theMil Mi-6, both used as transports.
In 1954, the Polish Air Force was merged with the Air Defence Force, creating the Air and Country Air Defence Forces (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Przeciwlotniczej Obszaru Kraju – WLiOPL OK), a military organisation composed of both flying and anti-aircraft units. In 1962, the WLiOPL OK were separated back again into their two original component bodies: the Air Force (Wojska Lotnicze) and the Country Air Defence Force (Wojska Obrony Powietrznej Kraju).
After political upheaval and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and a consequent reduction in the state of military anxiety in the whole of Europe during the 1990s and early 2000s, the Polish Air Force saw reductions in size. On 1 July 1990 the Polish Air Force and the Air Defence Force were merged again (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej – WLiOP or WLOP). The attack capability of this force consisted primarily ofMiG-21s,MiG-23s,MiG-29s,Su-20s andSu-22s. The remaining Lim-6bis were withdrawn in the early 1990s, followed soon afterwards by the withdrawal of the remaining Su-20 aircraft. The small number of remaining MiG-23s were withdrawn by 1999. Throughout the 1990s, Poland did not purchase any new combat aircraft and only managed to acquire further MiG-29s, from the Czech Republic in 1995 and from Germany in 2004. MiG-21s were fully withdrawn from service in 2003. In 2004, the only remaining combat aircraft flown by the WLiOP were theMiG-29 and theSu-22. As of 2010, the fleet of Su-22s is in need of modernization to retain any value as a combat aircraft and its future is unclear.[13]
In 2002, theF-16C/D Block 52+ from the American company Lockheed Martin was chosen as a new multirole fighter for the WLiOP, the first deliveries taking place in November 2006 and continued until 2008 underPeace Sky program. As of 2011 the Polish Air Force has three squadrons of F-16s: two stationed at the31st Tactical Air Base nearPoznań and the10th Tactical Squadron at the32nd Air Base nearŁask. The acquisition of the US F-16 was not without fierce competition from European aerospace companies; the sale was hotly pursued by the French company Dassault, with theirMirage 2000 and by the Swedish company Saab, with theJAS 39 Gripen. The Polish Block 52+ F-16s are equipped with the latest Pratt and Whitney F-100-229 afterburning turbofan engines, and the avionics suite includes theAPG-68(V)9 terrain mapping radar system and theALQ-211(V)4 electronic warfare suite. All Polish F-16s can carry modern US precision ordnance, ranging from the JDAM/JSOW to the latest in export-certificate-authorized air-to-air weaponry (including theAIM-120C-5 andAIM-9X).
.jpg)
In the aftermath of thepresidential Tu-154 crash in 2010 and later Polish-led investigation, the36th Special Aviation Regiment, responsible for transporting the President and the Polish Government, was disbanded, while the defense minister resigned.[14][15] A new unit, the 1st Air Base, replaced the 36th regiment. Between June 2010 and December 2017 most official flights were served by two leasedEmbraer E-175 operated by theLOT Polish Airlines.[16] On 14 November 2016 the Defense Ministry ordered twoGulfstream G550 VIP planes.[17] On 31 March 2017 a deal withBoeing Company was signed to supply twoBoeing Business Jet 2 and oneBoeing 737-800 for the head of state and the government transport.[18]
On 27 February 2014 Poland signed a €280 million contract withAlenia Aermacchi for 8M-346 Master advanced training jets.[19][20] The first two Masters arrived in Poland accompanied byTeam Iskry on 14 November 2016.[21][22]
On 11 December 2014 Polish officials signed a contract with the United States for the purchase of 70AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Stand off Missile, for US$250 million. Also contained in the contract are upgrades to the fleet of Polish F-16s to be completed by Lockheed Martin.[23]
On 28 May 2019, the Polish Minister of Defence announced that Poland had sent a request for quotation for the acquisition of 32 F-35A aircraft.[24] On 11 September 2019, the Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that Poland had been cleared to purchase 32 F-35A fighters, along with associated equipment, for an estimated cost of $6.5 billion.[25] On 27 September 2019 the US Congress approved the sale.[26] On 31 January 2020, Poland signed a $4.6 billion deal for 32 F-35A fighters.[27]
On 8 March 2022, the Polish government offered to transfer its entire MiG-29 fleet to the US government viaRamstein Air Base as lethal aid to the Ukrainian air force against theongoing Russian invasion in return for aircraft of corresponding operational capabilities (most likely F-16s). The exchange was eventually not carried out.[28]
Note: ThreeC-17 Globemaster IIIs are available through theHeavy Airlift Wing based inHungary.[43]
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIM-104F Patriot |  |  United States | HIMAD | 2 batteries[44] | 6 batteries on order. UtilizesIBCS. |
| NAREW | Poland United Kingdom | SHORAD | 6 launchers[45] | 100 on order[46] | |
| PSR-A Pilica |  | Poland | VSHORAD | 6 batteries[47] | 22 batteries on order[48] |
| PPZR Grom[49] |  | Poland | MANPADS | used byPSR-A Pilica | |
| PPZR Piorun[50] |  | Poland | MANPADS | used byPSR-A Pilica | |
| S-125 Neva |  |  Soviet Union | mobile SAM system | 51 units[49] |
The 3rd Wrocław Radio Engineering Brigade has severalradar types under its command including the Italian madeRAT-31DL anAESA system, the Polish made NUR-15 radar which provides a3D picture of the controlled airspace, and the mobile unit NUR-31 - employing a medium-range airspace control radar.[51]
MiG-29A/UB
F-16C/D 52+
Su-22M4/M3K
FA-50GF
other flying units
Air Defense Missile unit
Radar unit
NUR-12M long-range radar stations
RAT-31DL long-range radar stations
Command and Control Centre
Other units |
| Polish Armed Forces |
|---|
| Branches |
Land Forces Air Force Navy Special Forces Territorial Defence Force |
| History |
| Timeline Wars |
| Personnel |
| Senior officers Rank insignia Awards Oaths |
| Equipment |
| Land Forces Navy |
Armed Forces Operational Command, inWarsaw[61][62]
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Polish Air Force[63] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
| Marszałek Polski | Generał | Generał broni | Generał dywizji | Generał brygady | Pułkownik | Podpułkownik | Major | Kapitan | Porucznik | Podporucznik | ||||||||||||||
The current aviator badge of the Polish Air Force has been in use since the 1920s. The badge is calledgapa and represents silvereagle in flight with gold laurel wreath in the bill. Navigator/Observer badge (below) represents the same eagle, but in gold with added lightning bolts. The gapa is worn in the usual place on the upper left breast above the pocket, but unlike other air forces it is suspended on a chain. It adorned the uniform of Polish Air Force officers in the RAF during World War II along with their RAF wings. In the combat version (for at least 7 flights in combat conditions) the badge has a green laurel wreath.
| Badge | Pilot | Observer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air Forces |  |  | |||||
| Pilot | Observer | ||||||
| Abbreviation | pil. | obs. | |||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
_F-16C_Fighting_Falcon.jpg)
.jpg)
_Boeing_737-800_-_LHR_(42525378332).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
