The Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Siły Powietrzne RP - Air Forces of the Polish Republic) is the air force An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or air corps, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or other branch. Typically, air forces branch of the Polish Armed Forces Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland. The name has been used since the early 19th century, but can also be applied to earlier periods. Until 1 July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air and Air Defence Forces, the name existing from 1990). It consists of 17,000 officers and enlisted personnel, distributed among 12 bases throughout Poland.

From 1 December 1918 to present an insignia of the Polish Air Force aircraft is the white and red checkerboard, in 1993 its order of colours was inverted.

Basic aircraft units in the Polish Air Force were traditionally called eskadra (escadre A squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, armour, aircraft , or warships), bigger units, consisting of several escadres - dywizjon, which could create pułk (regiment) or brygada (brigade). There is some inconsistency with English terminology, because dywizjon is often translated as squadron A squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, armour, aircraft , or warships, which is an equivalent of escadre.

Contents

History

1918–1922

Mieczysław Garsztka killed in air crash 1919
Stefan Bastyr killed in air crash 1920
Stefan Stec killed in air crash 1921
Władysław Toruń killed in air crash 1924
Albatros D.III (Oef) fighters of the Polish 7th Air Escadrille at Lewandówka airfield in the winter of 1919-1920; the plane marked with a large I sign was flown by the escadrille's commanding officer, Cedric Fauntleroy American volunteers, Merian C. Cooper and Cedric Fauntleroy, fighting in the Polish Air Force. Breguet 14A2 stationed on the Kiev airfield during the Kiev Offensive in the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920

The history of the Polish airforce began at the end of World War I World War I was a military conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. More than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history. More than 15 million people were. In 1918, some aircraft escadres A squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, armour, aircraft , or warships were created within the Polish units in allied countries. In Russia, one escadre was created within the Polish corps of General Józef Dowbór-Muśnicki, then disbanded along with the Corps in May 1918. In France, five bomber and reconnaissance escadres were created within the Blue Army of General Józef Haller. They returned to Poland with their equipment in 1919.

Military aviation in Poland started just when Poland regained its independence, in November 1918. It consisted initially of German and Austrian aircraft, captured from the former occupants or left by them in a damaged state. They were first used in the conflict against Ukraine around Lwów Lviv (Ukrainian: Львів L’viv, IPA: [lʲwiw]; Polish: Lwów; Russian: Львов, L'vov; German: Lemberg; Latin: Leopolis; see also other names) is a city in western Ukraine in 1918 (the first combat flight of the Polish aircraft on 5 November 1918), and other actions included the bombing of an airfield in Frankfurt (Oder) Frankfurt (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁaŋkfʊɐt]) is a town in Brandenburg, Germany, located on the Oder River, on the German-Polish border directly opposite the town of Słubice which was a part of Frankfurt until 1945. At the end of the 1980s it reached a population peak with more than 87,000 inhabitants. The number dropped below 70,000 in 2002 on 9 January 1919 by airmen of the Great Polish Army. From 1919, Poland was involved in a full-scale war with Soviet Russia The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine against the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic, four states in post-World War I Europe. The war was the result of the belligerents' desire to expand their territories and their influence over them. Poland, whose statehood had just been re- and started to buy aircraft abroad. As a result, in 1920-1922, the Polish Air Force consisted of a variety of British, French, German, Austrian and Italian aircraft of the World War I era. The main fighters used were (in order of quantity): Ansaldo Balilla (92), SPAD XIII (55), Fokker D.VII (50), Oeffag D.III (45), SPAD VII (19), Albatros D.III (12), Sopwith Dolphin (10), Fokker E.V (D.VIII) (8). Many others existed in smaller numbers. The most numerous fighter became two-seater Bristol F2B Fighter (107 units), used as a scout and ground attack plane. Main bombers Strategic bombers are primarily designed for long-range strike missions with bombs against strategic targets such as supply bases, bridges, factories, shipyards, and cities themselves, in order to damage an enemy's war effort. Examples include the: Avro Lancaster, Heinkel He-111, Junkers Ju 88, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-29 and reconnaissance Reconnaissance is a mission to obtain information by visual observation or other detection methods, about the activities and resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or about the meteorologic, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area planes were: Breguet 14 (158), SVA-9, Salmson 2 The Salmson 2 was a French biplane reconnaissance aircraft made by Salmson. It was developed to a 1916 requirement. Along with the Breguet 14, it was the main reconnaissance aircraft in use with the French army in 1918. At the end of the First World War, one-third of French reconnaissance aircraft were Salmson 2s (45), DH-9 (20), different variants of Albatros C, DFW C, LVG C. Not all of these aircraft, though, were delivered by the end of hostilities in October 1920.

After the Polish-Soviet war, the World War I vintage aircraft were gradually withdrawn, and the airforce was equipped mostly with French aircraft. From 1924–26, the typical fighter became SPAD 61 (280 planes). The standard light bombers also were French: Potez 15 (245), then Breguet XIX (250) and Potez 25 (316). Potez bombers were produced in Poland. The medium bombers were Farman Goliath and later a military variant of Fokker F-VII.

Before developing fighters of its own design, 50 Czech biplane fighters Avia BH-33 were licence-produced under a designation PWS-A. The first Polish design was a high-wing fighter, PWS-10, which numbered 80 from 1932. The Polish naval airforce used a number of French flying boats, mainly Schreck FBA-17, LeO H-13, H-135 and Latham 43. All these aircraft were withdrawn from combat units by 1939.

1933–1938

RWD-14 Czapla

In 1933, the first high-wing, all-metal aircraft designed by Zygmunt Pulawski, the PZL P.7a, entered service in a series of 150. It was followed by 30 improved PZL P.11a aircraft. The final design, PZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 in a quantity of 175. A modern fighter in 1935, it remained the only Polish fighter until 1939, when it was rendered obsolete by foreign aircraft design. Its development PZL P.24 was built for export only, and was bought by four countries. The new fighter prototype, PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to Seversky P-35 layout, was designed too late to be produced. The two-engine heavy fighters PZL.38 Wilk and PZL.48 Lampart remained prototypes.

As far as bombers are concerned, the Potez 25 and Breguet 19 were replaced by an all-metal monoplane, the PZL.23 Karaś (250 built, after 1936), but even by 1939 the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber PZL.37 Łoś (Elk), arguably the best bomber in the world when it entered service that year. The Łoś had a bomb payload of 2580 kg and a top speed of 439 km/h. Unfortunately, too few entered service before the war (approximately 30 Łoś A bombers (single-fin tail) and 70 Łoś B (twin-fin) bombers were delivered before the war started). As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polish escadres used slow and easily damaged Lublin R-XIII, then RWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes CANT Z.506 were ordered, but only one was delivered, without armament. The main trainer plane was the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 (primary) and biplane PWS-26 (trainer). In 1939, Poland ordered 160 of MS-406 and 10 Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force . Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for the majority of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and fighters abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war.

1939

For more details on this topic, see Opposing_forces_in_the_Polish_September_Campaign#Polish_Air_Force.
Type Model Total Incl. in combat formations Remarks
Number of planes on September 1, 1939 Source: Polish Chief of Staff, Wacław Stachiewicz quotes the following numbers in his memoirs (Wacław Stachiewicz (1998). Wierności dochować żołnierskiej. OW RYTM. ISBN The International Standard Book Number is a unique numeric commercial book identifier based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN) code created by Gordon Foster, now Emeritus Professor of Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin, for the booksellers and stationers W.H. Smith and others in 1966 83-86678-71-2. )
Fighters PZL P.11 175 140
PZL P.7 105 30
Line planes light bombers/tactical bombers PZL.23A 35 0
PZL.23B 170 120
Bomber planes medium bombers A medium bomber is a bomber aircraft designed to operate with medium bombloads over medium distances; primarily to distinguish them from the much larger heavy bombers and smaller light bombers. The term was used primarily prior to and during World War II, when engine power was so scarce that designs had to be carefully tailored to their missions PZL.37 Łoś 61 36
PZL.30 Żubr 15 0
Associate planes Surveillance aircraft Surveillance aircraft are military aircraft used for monitoring enemy activity, usually carrying no armament. This article concentrates on military aircraft used in this role, though a major civilian aviation activity is reconnaissance and ground surveillance for mapping, traffic monitoring, science, and geological survey. In addition, civilian and Army cooperation plane Lublin R-XIII 150 55
RWD-14 Czapla 60 40
Total 771 421
PZL.23 Karaś
PZL.37 Łoś
SM-1
Mil Mi-2
Antonov An-2
Yakovlev Yak-11
Yakovlev Yak-12
Ilyushin Il-28
Ilyushin Il-14
Antonov An-26
Tupolev Tu-154M Lux
Yakovlev Yak-40
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Lim-5 (license-built MiG-17)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
TS-8 Bies
TS-11 Iskra
Mil Mi-8S
Sukhoi Su-20
PZL M96 Iryda

At the beginning of the Invasion of Poland The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign (German: Polenfeldzug) in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II. The invasion began on 1 September 1939, one week after the signing, by 1 September 1939, all the Polish combat aircraft had been deployed to the field; contrary to a common belief based on German propaganda, they avoided destruction in bombed air bases. The German bombers managed to destroy mostly trainer planes on the airfields. The fighter planes were grouped in 15 escadres (five of them constituted the Pursuit Brigade, deployed in Warsaw Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa [varˈʂava] ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 360 kilometers (224 mi) from the Baltic Sea and 300 kilometers (186 mi) from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of June 2009 was estimated at 1,711,466, and the Warsaw metropolitan area at area). Despite being obsolete, Polish PZL-11 fighters shot down over 170 German planes. The bombers, grouped in nine escadres of the Bomber Brigade, attacked armoured columns, suffering heavy losses. Seven reconnaissance and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular armies, were used primarily for reconnaissance. Most of the Polish airforce was destroyed in the campaign, and the rest of the aircraft were captured or withdrawn to Romania. Subsequently, the Romanians employed the remaining aircraft for their own use. A great number of pilots and air crews managed to escape to France.

1940 (France)

After the fall of Poland, the Polish airforce started to regroup in France. The only complete unit created before the German attack on France was the GC 1/145 fighter squadron, flying on Caudron C.714 light fighters (it was the only unit operating C.714). The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mainly on MS-406. After the quick surrender of France, many of the pilots managed to escape to England to continue the fight against the Luftwaffe.

1940–1947 (United Kingdom)

See also: Polish Air Force in Great Britain

Following France's surrender in 1940, Polish units were formed in the United Kingdom, as a part of the Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts, and known as the Polish Air Force (PAF). The first squadrons were: 300 and 301 bomber squadrons and 302 and 303 fighter squadrons. The fighter squadrons, flying the Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force . Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for the majority of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and, first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain is the name given to the air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The objective of the campaign was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command. The name derives from a famous speech delivered by Prime in August 1940, with a very good results. Polish flying skills were well developed from the Invasion of Poland The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign (German: Polenfeldzug) in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II. The invasion began on 1 September 1939, one week after the signing and the pilots were regarded as fearless and sometimes bordered on reckless. Nevertheless, success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 squadron became the most efficient The Battle of Britain is the name given to the air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The objective of the campaign was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command. The name derives from a famous speech delivered by Prime RAF fighter unit at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew in other RAF squadrons.

In the following years, further Polish squadrons were created: 304 (bomber, then Coastal Command), 305 (bomber), 306 (fighter), 307 (night fighter), 308 (fighter), 309 (reconnaissance, then fighter), 315 (fighter), 316 (fighter), 317 (fighter), 318 (fighter-reconnaissance), 663 (air observation/artillery spotting) and the Polish Fighting Team aka "Skalski Circus" attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF. The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then Supermarine Spitfires The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used into the 1950s both as a front line fighter and in secondary roles. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft and was the only, and eventually on North American Mustangs The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was a long-range single-seat World War II fighter aircraft. Designed, built and airborne in just 117 days, the Mustang first flew in RAF service as a fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft before conversion to a bomber escort, employed in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from. Night fighters A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility. These aircraft carry radar or other systems for providing some sort of detection capability in low visibility. Such systems were very large when they were first widely introduced during World War II, and night fighters were adaptations of large twin- used by 307 were the Boulton-Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design. The name Beaufighter is a portmanteau of "Beaufort" and "fighter" and finally the de Havilland Mosquito The de Havilland Mosquito was a British combat aircraft that excelled in versatility during the Second World War. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito adapted to many other roles in during the air war in both the Pacific theatre of Operations and the European theatre, including: low to medium altitude daytime tactical. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles The Fairey Battle was a British single-engine light bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company in the late 1930s for the Royal Air Force. The Battle was powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine that gave contemporary British fighters high performance; however, the Battle was weighed down with a three-man crew and a bomb load. Despite and Vickers Wellingtons, then Avro Lancasters The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within RAF Bomber (300 Sqdn.), Handley Page Halifaxs and Consolidated Liberators The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, built by Consolidated Aircraft. It was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft of World War II and still holds the record as the most produced U.S. military aircraft. It was used by many Allied air forces and every U.S. branch of service during the war, (301 sqn) and de Havilland Mosquitos The de Havilland Mosquito was a British combat aircraft that excelled in versatility during the Second World War. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito adapted to many other roles in during the air war in both the Pacific theatre of Operations and the European theatre, including: low to medium altitude daytime tactical and North American Mitchells The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades (305 Sqdn.). About 663 flew Auster AOP IIIs and Vs. After the war, with the changed international situation, their equipment was returned to the British but only some of the pilots and crews returned to Poland.

1943–1989

See also: Air Force of the Polish Army

Along with the Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) in the USSR, the Ludowe Lotnictwo Polskie — Polish People's Airforce — was created. In late 1943, the 1st fighter regiment "Warszawa", (flying on Yak-1 and Yak-9 The Yakovlev Yak-9 was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Soviet Union in World War II and after. It was the most numerous Soviet fighter of the war and remained in production from 1942 to 1948, with 16,769 built), the 2nd night bomber regiment "Krakow" (Polikarpov Po-2 (from 1949 also produced in Poland as CSS-13), and the 3rd assault regiment (Ilyushin Il-2 The Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik was a ground attack aircraft in the Second World War, produced by the Soviet Union in large numbers. In combination with its successor, the Ilyushin Il-10, a total of 36,163 were built, making it the single most produced military aircraft design in all of aviation history as well as the third most produced aircraft in) were formed. In 1944–45, further regiments were created forming the 1st Mixed Air Corps, consisting of a Bomber Division, Assault Division, Fighter Division and a mixed Division. After the war, these returned to Poland and gave birth to the air force of the People's Republic of Poland The Polish People's Republic was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although Communists took the control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was changed only eight years later.

Starting in 1950, Poland received Petlyakov Pe-2 The Petlyakov Pe-2 , nicknamed Peshka (Пешка - "Pawn") was a Soviet dive bomber aircraft used during World War II. It was fast and maneuverable yet durable, and was manufactured in large numbers. Several Communist nations flew the type after the war, when it became known by the NATO reporting name Buck. The Finnish Air Force serial and Tupolev Tu-2 The Tupolev Tu-2 was a twin-engine Soviet (high) speed daylight bomber (SDB)/front line bomber (FB) aircraft of World War II vintage. The Tu-2 was tailored to meet a requirement for a high speed bomber or dive-bomber, with a large internal bombload, and speed similar to that of a single seat fighter. Designed to challenge the German Junkers Ju 88, bombers from the USSR and USB-1 and USB-2 training bombers. In 1949 the Li-2sb transport adapted to bombing came into service. In 1950 the Yak-17 fighter, Il-12 transport, Yak-18 The Yakovlev Yak-18 was a Soviet tandem two-seat military primary trainer aircraft. Originally powered by one 119 kW (160 hp) Shvetsov M-11FR-1 radial piston engine, it entered service in 1946. It is also produced in China as the Nanchang CJ-5 trainer and UTB-2 bomber trainer arrived. From 1951, the Polish Air Force was equipped with jet fighters in the shape of Yak-23 and MiG-15 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in daylight. The MiG-15 also served as the starting (along with a training version, the UTIMiG-15 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in daylight. The MiG-15 also served as the starting) and later the (MiG-17 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a jet fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Licence production was carried out in East Germany, Poland (PZL-Mielec Lim-6) and the Peoples Republic of China (Shenyang J-5). NATO reporting name "Fresco"., USAF/DoD reporting name "Type 38&) in 1961).

As well as Soviet produced aircraft, the MiG-15 was produced under licence in Poland as Lim-1 (starting in 1952), the MiG-15bis (from 1953) and as Lim-2 (since 1957), MiG-17 (from 1955) as Lim-5. A domestic ground attack variant of Lim-5M was developed as Lim-6bis (1964).

The only jet bomber used was the Ilyushin Il-28, from 1952. Poland used only a small number of MiG-19 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name: "Farmer") is a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S. "Century Series" fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, although it would primarily from 1959, because the basic supersonic fighter from 1963 became MiG-21 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name "Fishbed") is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English:. 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 37 MiG-23 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a swing-wing fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet "Third Generation" aircraft category along with similar-aged Russian-produced fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first Soviet fighter with a look-down/ (1979) and 12 MiG-29 The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a 4th-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations. The NATO name "Fulcrum" was (1989). The main attack plane after 1949 was Il-10 (since 1951 also training version UIl-10). Starting 1964 Poland also used a substantial number of attack planes Su-7B (since 1965), replaced with 27 Sukhoi Su-20 (since 1974) and 110 Sukhoi Su-22 (1984) as the main attack planes.

The only jet trainer was the domestically built TS-11 Iskra, which replaced proper engine Junak-2 (in service 1952), TS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and PZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958). The other polish jet trainer, the PZL I-22 Iryda, was used for some time but because of continuing problems all machines were returned to PZL for modification and it is currently not in service. As multirole planes Yak-12 (since 1951), An-2 (since 1955) and Wilga-35 P were used. Transport aircraft were: Il-14 (since 1955), Il-18 (since 1961), An-12B (since 1966), An-26 The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined light turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968 (since 1972), Yak-40 (since 1973) and Tupolev Tu-154 The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name Careless) is a Soviet medium-range trijet airliner designed in the mid 1960s. One of the notable civilian aircraft of its era, the Tu-154 has been the mainstay 'workhorse' of Soviet airlines for several decades, servicing well over a sixth of the world's landmass and carrying about half of the passengers.

Helicopters used by Polish Army were: SM-1 (under licence of Mil Mi-1) — multirole (since 1956), Mil Mi-4 — multirole (since 1958), SM-2 — multirole (since 1960), Mil Mi-2 and Mil Mi-8 (later also Mil Mi-17) (since 1968) — multirole and Mil Mi-24 (since 1976) — combat helicopter. Also the Mil Mi-14 as amphibious helicopter are used, and Mil Mi-6 as transports.

In 1954, the Air Force was merged with Air Defence Force, creating Air and Country Air Defence Forces (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Przeciwlotniczej Obszaru Kraju — WLiOPL OK). It was formed from both flying and anti-aircraft units. In 1962 WLiOPL OK were separated again into: the Air Force (Wojska Lotnicze) and the Country Air Defence Force (Wojska Obrony Powietrznej Kraju). On July 1, 1990 they were merged again in the Air and Air Defence Force (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej — WLiOP or WLOP).

Since 1990

After a political change in 1989 and an arms reduction in Europe, the Polish airforce was reduced. In 1990 it consisted of MiG-21s The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name "Fishbed") is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English:, MiG-23s The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a swing-wing fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet "Third Generation" aircraft category along with similar-aged Russian-produced fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first Soviet fighter with a look-down/, MiG-29s, Su-20s and Su-22s. The rest of Lim-6bis were withdrawn in the early 1990s, followed soon by Su-20. MiG-23s were withdrawn by 1999 due to their small number. Throughout the 1990s, Poland has not purchased any new combat planes, and only managed to acquire further MiG-29s from Czech Republic (1995) and Germany (2004). MiG-21s were finally withdrawn in 2003. In 2004, the only combat aircraft were the MiG-29 and Su-22. The fleet of Su-22's needs modernization to retain a combat value, but its future is unclear. In 2003, the F-16C Block 52 was chosen as a new multi-role fighter, the first deliveries took place in November 2006 and will continue until 2008 under Operation Peace Sky. It is expected that the Polish Air Force will form three squadrons of F-16's which will be fully operational by 2012.

By choosing the F-16, Poland will be able to derive advantages from the JSF programme, which come from its internationality and long-term economic cooperation of many countries.

"Acquiring the F-16C/D fighter will make it easier for Poland to transition into the new generation Joint Strike Fighter aircraft (F-35 Lightning II), which will be the most technologically advanced multirole fighter. The Polish Air Force, equipped with the F-16C/D and the F-35 by the year 2020, will become one of the most modern air forces in the world. By sustaining advantages from the military tactics training offered by the US Air Force, the Polish Air Force can modernize and will be able to drop projectiles on targets with perfect precision. What's more, the Polish JSF programme entry will create the possibility of advantages for Polish industry. The programme will enable Polish industry to take part in the US$400 billion enterprise", said Lieutenant General Tome H. Walters Jr., director of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which job is to sell American military equipment to foreign trade partners.

The acquisition of the F-16 was not without heated competition from European aerospace firms. At one point the Polish Fighter Competition included the Dassault Mirage 2000 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. The Polish Block 52+ F-16s are equipped with the latest Pratt and Whitney F-100-229 afterburning turbofan engine, and the avionics suite will be equipped with the APG-68(V)9 terrain mapping radar system and ALQ-211(V)4 electronic warfare suite. All Polish F-16s will be fully equipped to carry the latest in US precision ordinance, ranging from the JDAM/JSOW to the latest in export air-to-air weaponry (including the AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X.

Structure

Aircraft

Current aircraft inventory

F-16D "Jastrząb" Su-22M4K CASA C-295 PZL M-28 PZL SW-4 Puszczyk
Polish Armed Forces
Branches
Land Forces Air Force Navy Special Forces
History
Timeline Wars
Personnel
Senior officers Rank insignia Awards Oaths
Equipment
Land Forces Navy
Aircraft Photo Origin Type Variants In service Notes
Fighter Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb United States Multirole Fighter F16C bl 52+ F16D bl 52+ 36[1] 12[1] 50 more will be ordered in the future[2]
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Soviet Union Czech Republic Germany Multirole Fighter MiG-29A MiG-29UB 28[1] 7[3] To be retired around 2029.
Ground-Attack Aircraft
Sukhoi Su-22 Soviet Union Ground Attack Aircraft Su-22M-4K Su-22UM-3K 38[1] 7[1] To be retired around 2012.
Transport Aircraft
CASA C-295M Spain Transport Aircraft C-295M 11[1][3] 1 crashed on 24 January 2008.
C-130 Hercules United States Transport Aircraft C-130E 1[1] 4 more on order, the deliveries will be completed by 2009. First one arrived in April 2009.[4]
Trainer Aircraft
PZL TS-11 Iskra Poland Trainer 54[3] To be replace by 16 LIFT planes by 2012.
PZL-130 Orlik Poland Trainer 37[3]
VIP Aircraft
Tupolev Tu-154 Soviet Union VIP Tu-154M Lux 2[1][3] To be retired
Yakovlev Yak-40 Soviet Union VIP 4[1][3] 8 of 12 sold, 4 grounded, to be retired
Bell 412 United States VIP Helicopter 412HP 1[1][3]
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union VIP Helicopter Mi-8S 3
PZL W-3 Sokół Poland VIP Helicopter W-3S 1[3] 1 more on order.[3]
Utility Aircraft
PZL M28B Bryza Poland Utility Bryza TD Bryza PT 10[3] 5[3] 12 on order
PZL An-2 Soviet Union Poland Utility 13[3] To be retired
Antonov An-28 Soviet Union Utility 2
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union Utility Helicopter SAR Helicopter Mi-8T Mi-8P Mi-8RL 1 6[3] 4
PZL Mi-2 Soviet Union Poland Utility Helicopter Mi-2 Mi-2RL 50[3] 4[3]
Mil Mi-17 Russia Transport Helicopter 3 4 on order
PZL W-3 Sokół Poland Multipurpose Helicopter W-3WA W-3RL W-3R W-3T W-3A 6 6 2 8 12 In consideration of obtaining 6 more W-3A.
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk Poland Light Helicopter 10[1] 14 more on order.[3]

Anti-aircraft weapons:

Major bases

AFB Town Unit Major Aircraft Task
1st Air Base Warszawa 36th Special Aviation Regiment Tu-154, Yak-40 VIP transport
1st Airport Station Radom 2nd Flying Training Centre PZL-130 Training
2nd Airport Station Bydgoszcz 2nd Airlift Squadron PZL M-28,PZL W-3 Airlift
6th Air Base Dęblin 1st Flying Training Centre TS-11, PZL-130, SW-4 Training
8th Air Base Kraków 13th Airlift Squadron CASA C-295, PZL M-28 Airlift
12th Air Base Mirosławiec 8th Tactical Squadron Su-22 Attack
21st Air Base Świdwin 40th Tactical Squadron and 7th Tactical Squadron Su-22 Attack
22nd Air Base Malbork 41st Tactical Squadron MiG-29 Providing Air superiority
23rd Air Base Mińsk Mazowiecki 1st Tactical Squadron MiG-29 Providing Air superiority
31st Tactical Air Base Poznań 31st Tactical Air Base F-16 Providing Air superiority
32nd Air Base Łask 10th Tactical Squadron F-16 Providing Air superiority Reconnaissance
33rd Air Base Powidz 14th Airlift Squadron C-130, PZL M-28, Airlift Attack

Ranks and Insignia

Officers

NATO Code OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 - OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Air Forces
Generał Generał broni Generał dywizji Generał brygady Pułkownik Podpułkownik Major Kapitan Porucznik Podporucznik
Abbreviation gen. gen. broni. gen. dyw. gen. bryg. płk ppłk mjr kpt. por. ppor.

Non-commissioned officers and privates

NATO Code OR-6 OR-5 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Air Forces
Starszy Sierżant Sierżant Plutonowy Starszy Kapral Kapral Starszy Szeregowy Szeregowy
Abbreviation st. sierż. sierż. plut. st. kpr kpr. st. szer. szer.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Polish military aviation OrBat
  2. ^ Co daje nam umowa z USA (Polish)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "MILITARIUM - Uzbrojenie Wojska Polskiego w 2008 r"
  4. ^ Air Force officials deliver first C-130 to Polish military

Further reading

External links

Air Forces in Europe
Sovereign states

Albania · Andorra · Armenia2 · Austria · Azerbaijan1 · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus2 · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France1, 3 · Georgia1 · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Kazakhstan1 · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Republic of Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands3 · Norway3 · Poland · Portugal3 · Romania · Russia1 · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain1 · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey1 · Ukraine · United Kingdom3
1 Has part of its territory outside Europe. 2 Entirely in West Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe. 3 Has dependencies or similar territories outside Europe.

Categories: Polish Air Force

 

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