Stewart Penney/LONDON
Poland has moved a step closer to acquiring new fighters with a request for technical data that could lead to a selection by the end of July. Meanwhile, the defence ministry has selected the EADS Casa C295M to meet its requirement for eight tactical transports.
The Polish defence ministry is seeking 16 leased fighters for delivery by the end of 2003 and 44 new aircraft by the end of 2006, say industry sources. It is not clear whether Poland will continue to lease the initial aircraft, make an outright purchase or replace them with further new build fighters. Poland is seeking 60 fighters to replace Soviet-era aircraft as part of its NATO commitments.
Responses are due by the end of May and the Polish Government is suggesting it will decide within two months, although it is unclear whether negotiations will be started with more than one bidder. The Lockheed Martin F-16 is generally regarded as Poland's lead choice.
Other competitors are the Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and Saab/ BAE Systems Gripen, although the USA may offer the Boeing F/A-18, while the Boeing F-15 Eagle has been previously offered for lease.
Polish defence minister Bronislaw Komorowski says $3.5 billion funding is available, but industry officials say this is to include the purchase of a weapons package. The sources note that Polish law requires industrial offset of at least 100% of the contract value. Poland is also seeking "innovative financing packages" which will allow payments to be spread to 2015.
A long-running competition to replace Antonov An-26 Curl transports has been settled, with Poland once again selecting an EADS Casa product over the Alenia/ Lockheed Martin C-27J and the Antonov An-32. Negotiations for eight aircraft to be delivered by 2006 are expected to start shortly. Poland previously selected the EADS Casa CN235M, but did not conclude a deal because of financing problems.
Source: Flight International
