Aircraft

Poland's defence ministry is preparing to launch a long-awaited tender for a lead-in fighter trainer, and is finalising its detailed technical requirements.

The ministry says 16 trainers will be bought under a project worth up to $800 million, with the aircraft to also offer some combat capabilities. The Polish air force is seeking an aircraft with a cockpit architecture closely resembling that of its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.

The tender will include offset requirements and is expected to attract responses from Alenia Aermacchi with the M-346, Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed offering the T/A-50 and Patria, proposing upgraded BAE Systems Hawk 51s.

Intended to replace the air force's PZL Mielec TS-11 Iskras, the new type will be required to support training activities at the service's Deblin academy until at least 2030.