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Polish Air Force

Flag of the Polish Air Force
Active
Country Poland
Size Around 40,000 personnel
Part of Polish Armed Forces
Commanders
Commander Andrzej Błasik
Insignia
Air Force checkerboard
left - 1918-1993
right - from 1993 to present

Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Siły Powietrzne RP - Air Forces of the Polish Republic) is the air force branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Wojsko Polskie ( WP, Polish Army) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. The Air Force Checkerboard (szachownica lotnicza is a national marking for the aircraft of the Polish Air Force, equivalent to Roundels used in other nations' An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service Wojsko Polskie ( WP, Polish Army) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. 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). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) It consists of 40,000 officers and enlisted personnel, distributed among 22 bases throughout Poland.

Contents

General information

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. Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Air Force Checkerboard (szachownica lotnicza is a national marking for the aircraft of the Polish Air Force, equivalent to Roundels used in other nations'

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

The history of the Polish Air Force

1918–1922

The history of the Polish airforce began at the end of World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All In 1918, some aircraft escadres were created within the Polish units in allied countries. A squadron is a small unit or formation of Cavalry, armour, Aircraft (including Balloons) or Warships Army In Russia, one escadre was created within the Polish corps of General Józef Dowbór-Muśnicki, then disbanded along with the Corps in May 1918. Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki ( Iosif Romanovich while in the Russian military sometimes also Dowbór-Muśnicki; In France, five bomber and reconnaissance escadres were created within the Blue Army of General Józef Haller. The Blue Army, or Haller's Army, are informal names given to the Polish Army units formed in France during the later stages of World War I. Józef Haller de Hallenburg (August 13 1873 in Jurczyce - June 4 1960 in London was a Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, legionary in Polish 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 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) on 9 January 1919 by airmen of the Great Polish Army. Lviv ( Ukrainian: Львів, L’viv, Lwów Lemberg Львов L'vov; see also other names) is a major city in western Frankfurt (Oder is a City in Brandenburg, Germany, located on the Oder River on the German- Polish border directly opposite the Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Greater Poland Uprising of 1918&ndash1919, or Wielkopolska Uprising of 1918&ndash1919 ( Polish: powstanie wielkopolskie 1918&ndash19 roku; From 1919, Poland was involved in a full-scale war with Soviet Russia 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Fokker DVII was a German World War I Fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz The Albatros DIII was a Biplane Fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Albatros DIII was a Biplane Fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Fokker EV was a German parasol -monoplane Fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz and built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. VIII) (8). Many others existed in smaller numbers. The most numerous fighter became two-seater Bristol F2B Fighter (107 units), used a scout and ground attack plane. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Main bombers and reconnaissance planes were: Breguet 14 (158), SVA-9, Salmson 2 (45), DH-9 (20), different variants of Albatros C, DFW C, LVG C. A bomber is a Military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets primarily by dropping Bombs on them Reconnaissance (also scouting) is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information The Breguet 14 was a French Biplane bomber and Reconnaissance aircraft of World War I. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Salmson 2 was a French Biplane Reconnaissance aircraft made by Salmson. The Airco DH9 (from de Havilland 9 also known after 1920 as the de Havilland DH WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The DFW CIV, CV, CVI, and F 37 were a family of German Reconnaissance aircraft first used in 1916 in World War I. Not all of these aircraft, though, were delivered by the end of hostilities in October 1920.

1923–1932
Polish Armed Forces
Branches
Land Forces Land Forces
Navy Navy
Air Force Air Force
History

Wars
Timeline
Personnel

Senior officers
Rank insignia
Awards
Oaths
Equipment

Land Forces
Navy
SM-1
SM-1
Mil Mi-2
Mil Mi-2
Antonov An-2
Antonov An-2
Yakovlev Yak-11
Yakovlev Yak-11
Yakovlev Yak-12
Yakovlev Yak-12
Ilyushin Il-28
Ilyushin Il-28
Ilyushin Il-14
Ilyushin Il-14
Antonov An-26
Antonov An-26
Tupolev Tu-154M Lux
Tupolev Tu-154M Lux
Yakovlev Yak-40
Yakovlev Yak-40
PZL M-28 Bryza
PZL M-28 Bryza
CASA C-295
CASA C-295
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Lim-5 (license-built MiG-17)
Lim-5 (license-built MiG-17)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
TS-8 Bies
TS-8 Bies
TS-11 Iskra
TS-11 Iskra
PZL-130 Orlik
PZL-130 Orlik
Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-14
Mil Mi-14
Sukhoi Su-20
Sukhoi Su-20
Sukhoi Su-22
Sukhoi Su-22
Bell 412HP
Bell 412HP
PZL W-3 Sokół
PZL W-3 Sokół
Mil Mi-24D
Mil Mi-24D
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk
MiG-29
MiG-29
F-16 "Jastrząb" (Hawk)
F-16 "Jastrząb" (Hawk)

After the Polish-Soviet war, the World War I vintage aircraft were gradually withdrawn, and the airforce was equipped mostly with French aircraft. Wojsko Polskie ( WP, Polish Army) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. Polish Land Forces (Wojska Lądowe RP is a branch of Poland 's Armed Forces. Polish Army ( Polish: Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. Below is a list of military conflicts in which Polish armed forces participated or took place on Polish territory 1569-1699 Silver Age of The Republic September 8 1581 - Siege of Psków - Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - Russia The following is a list of Polish Generals, that is the people who held the rank of general as well as those who acted as de facto generals by commanding Origins Present Polish system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used in the past in the Polish Army. The following is a list of medals awards and decorations in use in Poland. The following is a list of the Polish military Oaths both historical and contemporary The Polish military continues to use mostly Soviet-era equipment however since joining NATO in 1999 Poland has been upgrading and modernizing its hardware to NATO standards Polish Land Forces (Wojska Lądowe RP is a branch of Poland 's Armed Forces. Currently in service Frigates Oliver Hazard Perry class ORP Gen For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The term hawk can be used in several ways In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the Species in the Subfamily From 1924–26, the typical fighter became SPAD 61 (280 planes). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The standard light bombers also were French: Potez 15 (245), then Breguet XIX (250) and Potez 25 (316). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Potez bombers were produced in Poland. The medium bombers were Farman Goliath and later a military variant of Fokker F-VII. The Farman F60 Goliath was an airliner produced by the Farman Aviation Works from 1919. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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

In 1933, the first high-wing, all-metal aircraft designed by Zygmunt Pulawski, the PZL P.7a, entered service in a series of 150. The PZL P7 was the Polish Fighter aircraft designed in early-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. It was followed by 30 improved PZL P.11a aircraft. The PZL P11 was a Polish Fighter aircraft, designed in the early 1930s by PZL in Warsaw. The final design, PZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 in a quantity of 175. The PZL P11 was a Polish Fighter aircraft, designed in the early 1930s by PZL in Warsaw. 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The new fighter prototype, PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to Seversky P-35 layout, was designed too late to be produced. PZL50 Jastrząb ( Hawk) was a Polish pre-war fighter aircraft designed by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk of the PZL works WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The two-engine heavy fighters PZL.38 Wilk and PZL.48 Lampart remained prototypes. The PZL38 Wilk (" Wolf " (PZL-38 was a Polish Fighter-bomber developed and manufactured by PZL state factory in The PZL48 Lampart was a Polish heavy Fighter-bomber design that remained a project only due to outbreak of World War II.

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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Los 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 Los A bombers (single-fin tail) and 70 Los 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. The Lublin R-XIII was the Polish army-cooperation plane ( observation and liaison plane designed in the early-1930s in the Plage WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The main trainer plane was the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 (primary) and biplane PWS-26 (trainer). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The PWS-26 was a Polish advanced Training aircraft, used from 1937 to 1939 by the Polish Air Force, constructed in the In 1939, Poland ordered 160 of MS-406 and 10 Hawker Hurricane fighters abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

1939

For more details on this topic, see Opposing_forces_in_the_Polish_September_Campaign#Polish_Air_Force. Germany and Poland were the main opposing forces in the Polish September Campaign.
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). Brigadier General Wacław Stachiewicz (1894-1973 was an officer of the Polish Army, geologist and a Polish writer Wierności dochować żołnierskiej. OW RYTM. ISBN 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		 PZL.37 Łoś 61 36
PZL.30 Żubr 15 0
Associate planes
Surveillance aircraft and Army cooperation plane		 Lublin R-XIII 150 55
RWD-14 Czapla 60 40
Total 771 421

At the beginning of the Invasion of Poland, 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 PZL P11 was a Polish Fighter aircraft, designed in the early 1930s by PZL in Warsaw. The PZL P7 was the Polish Fighter aircraft designed in early-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. Light bomber is a relatively small and fast class of Military Bomber aircraft which was employed mainly before the 1950s A tactical bomber is a relatively small Aircraft used in the battle zone to attack troops and military equipment for Tactical bombing. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The LWS-6 Żubr ( PZL30 Żubr) was a Polish twin-engined Medium bomber, produced by the LWS factory before World War II. Surveillance aircraft are military Aircraft used for monitoring enemy activity usually carrying no armament The Lublin R-XIII was the Polish army-cooperation plane ( observation and liaison plane designed in the early-1930s in the Plage WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 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 area). The Pursuit Brigade (Brygada Pościgowa was a Polish World War II unit of the Polish Air Force. Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. 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. The Bomber Brigade (Brygada Bombowa was a Polish World War II unit of the Polish Air Force. 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. The C710 were a series of Fighter aircraft developed by Caudron - Renault for the French Armée de l'Air just prior to the start of 714). The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mainly on MS-406. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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, and known as the Polish Air Force (PAF). The Polish Air Forces ( Polskie Siły Powietrzne) was a name of Polish Air Forces formed in France and the United Kingdom during World War In World War II, the Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries The first squadrons were: 300 and 301 bomber squadrons and 302 and 303 fighter squadrons. No 300 (Polish "Land of Masovia " Bomber Squadron (300 Dywizjon Bombowy "Ziemi Mazowieckiej" was a Polish World War II Bomber RAF No 303 "Kościuszko" Polish Fighter Squadron ( Warszawski Dywizjon im The fighter squadrons, flying the Hawker Hurricane, first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, with a very good results. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and Polish flying skills were well developed from the Invasion of Poland and the pilots were regarded as fearless and sometimes bordered on reckless. The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied Nevertheless, success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter unit at that time. The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and 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) and 663 (air observation/artillery spotting). RAF Coastal Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which defended the United Kingdom from naval threats and countered German U-boats The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then Supermarine Spitfires, and eventually on P-51 Mustangs. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Night fighters used by 307 were the Boulton-Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter and finally the de Havilland Mosquito. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Bristol Beaufighter is also the name of a Car produced by Bristol Cars in the 1980s WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles and Vickers Wellingtons, then Avro Lancasters (300 Sqdn. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout "Lanc" redirects here Distinguish from Lank (adjective and from Amon Lanc (a place in Tolkien's fiction ), Handley Page Halifaxs and Consolidated B-24 Liberators (301 sqn) and de Havilland Mosquitos and B-25 Mitchells (305 Sqdn. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ). 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. The Air Force of the Polish Army (Lotnictwo Wojska Polskiego unofficially known as the People's Polish Air Force is the name of the Soviet-controlled Polish Air Force In late 1943, the 1st fighter regiment "Warszawa", (flying on Yak-1 and Yak-9), 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) were formed. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 People's Republic of Poland or Polish People's Republic ( Polish: Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa, PRL Russian

Starting in 1950, Poland received Petlyakov Pe-2 and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers from the USSR and USB-1 and USB-2 training bombers. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In 1949 the Li-2sb transport adapted to bombing came into service. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In 1950 the Yak-17 fighter, Il-12 transport, Yak-18 trainer and UTB-2 bomber trainer arrived. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout From 1951, the Polish Air Force was equipped with jet fighters in the shape of Yak-23 and MiG-15 (along with a training version, the UTIMiG-15) and later the (MiG-17) in 1961). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Poland used only a small number of MiG-19 from 1959, because the basic supersonic fighter from 1963 became MiG-21. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 (1979) and 12 MiG-29 (1989). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The main attack plane after 1949 was Il-10 (since 1951 also training version UIl-10). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. PZL I-22 Iryda, PZL M93 Iryda, PZL M96 Iryda - twin-engine two-seat Polish military jet trainer aircraft PZL ( Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze - State Aviation Works was the main Polish Aerospace manufacturer of the Interwar period, based in Warsaw As multirole planes Yak-12 (since 1951), An-2 (since 1955) and Wilga-35 P were used. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Transport aircraft were: Il-14 (since 1955), Il-18 (since 1961), An-12B (since 1966), An-26 (since 1972), Yak-40 (since 1973) and Tupolev Tu-154. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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. SM-1 is a 2 MWe Nuclear reactor developed for The US Army Nuclear Power Program (ANPP WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Also the Mil Mi-14 as amphibious helicopter are used, and Mil Mi-6 as transports. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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, MiG-23s, 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Lieutenant General Tome H Walters Jr was Director Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense Arlington Virginia.

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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 and AIM-9M 8/9).

It comes as no surprise that the United States came in with the lowest bid as the migration to the F-35 JSF and F/A-22 Raptor is currently ongoing, leaving improved fourth-generation fighters such as the F-16 an attractive and cost-effective option for nations with outmoded hardware looking to upgrade their air force.

Structure

Current aircraft inventory

as of 1 October 2006

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[1] Notes
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Fighter MiG-29B 9. Ustka (Stolpmünde Kashubian and Pomeranian: Ùskô) is a town in the Middle Pomerania region of northwestern Poland with 17100 Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 12A
MiG-29UB 9. 51		 26
6		 2x TFS - 16 planes in squadron
Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb Flag of the United States United States Multirole Fighter F16C bl 52+
F16D bl 52+		 29 (36)
12		 3x TFS - 16 planes in squadron
Sukhoi Su-22 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Fighter-Bomber Su-22M4K
Su-22UM3K		 48 3x TFS - 16 planes in squadron, to be retired in 2012
PZL TS-11 Iskra Flag of Poland Poland Trainer TS-11 bis D
TS-11 bis DF
TS-11 MR		 54
PZL-130 Orlik Flag of Poland Poland Trainer PZL-130 TC-I
PZL-130 TC-II
PZL-130 TC-III		 26 (0)
2 (16)
0 (12)		 all TC-I planes are going to be rebuild into TC-II or TC-III
Antonov An-2 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Poland Poland Utility An-2T 10
Antonov An-28 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Poland Poland Utility An-28TD 2
PZL M28B Bryza Flag of Poland Poland Utility M28B Bryza TD
M28B/PT		 10
5		 PZL-10S engines
PT-6 engines
Antonov An-26 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Transport An-26T 5
CASA C-295M Flag of Spain Spain Transport 9 (11) 2 on order, 1 crashed
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Flag of the United States United States Transport C-130E 0 (5)
Yakovlev Yak-40 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union VIP 4
Tupolev Tu-154 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union VIP Tu-154M Lux 2
Boeing 767 Flag of the United States United States/Flag of Israel Israel Multi-Role Tanker Transport 767 MRTT 0 (2) 450 mln PLN were reserved in 2008 and 2009 budgets, second hand airliners modfied for air refuling, deliverys planed in 2010 and 2011[2]
Bell 412 Flag of the United States United States VIP Helicopter 412HP 1
Mil Mi-8 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Utility Helicopter
Utility Helicopter
VIP Helicopter
SAR Helicopter		 Mi-8T
Mi-8P
Mi-8S
Mi-8RL		 1
4
3
4
Mil Mi-2 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Poland Poland Utility Helicopter Mi-2T 16 Used for pilot training
PZL W-3 Sokół Flag of Poland Poland Utility Helicopter
SAR Helicopter		 W-3T
W-3RL		 8
8		 2 in VIP variant on order
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk Flag of Poland Poland Trainer 6 (12)
Land Forces Aviation[3]
Mil Mi-2 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Poland Poland Utility Helicopter
Attack Helicopter		 Mi-2T
Mi-2URN/URP		 46
Mil Mi-8 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Armed
Utility Helicopter
Medical Evacuation
Utility Helicopter		 Mi-8T
Mi-17
Mi-17AE
Mi-8MTW-1		 16
4
2
7
Mil Mi-24 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Attack Helicopter Mi-24D
Mi-24W		 16
16
PZL W-3 Sokół Flag of Poland Poland Armed
Utility Helicopter
Electronic Warfare
Reconnaissance		 W-3WA
W-3PL
W-3RR
W-3PSOT		 29
0 (4)
3
1
Navy Aviation[4]
PZL M-28B Bryza Flag of Poland Poland Utility
Patrol
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance / Anti-submarine		 Bryza TD
Bryza 1E
Bryza 1R
Bryza 1RM bis		 2
2
6
1
Mil Mi-2 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Poland Poland Utility Helicopter Mi-2T 1
PZL W-3 Sokół Flag of Poland Poland Utility Helicopter
SAR Helicopter		 W-3T
W-3RM		 2
7
Kaman SH-2 Flag of the United States United States Anti-submarine Helicopter SH-2G 3 1 for spare parts, rest modernized to carry MU-90 Impact
Mil Mi-8 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Utility Helicopter Mi-17
Mi-8MTW-1		 1
1
Mil Mi-14 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Anti-submarine Helicopter
SAR Helicopter		 Mi-14PŁ
Mi-14PS		 7
3

Types to enter service in the near future:

Types of aircraft to enter service in the more distant future:

See also

References

  1. ^ :: Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej - serwis internetowy :: Potencja³ ::
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ :: Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej - serwis internetowy :: Potencja³ ::
  4. ^ Marynarka Wojenna RP
  5. ^ "Transport Tender", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 8, 2007. 2012 ( MMXII) will be a Leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 2015 ( MMXV) will be a Common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. 2020 ( MMXX) will be a Leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Gen Stanisław Targosz (b July 23, 1948 in Jaroszów, Poland) former Commanding officer Bialo-Czerwone Iskry ("White-and-Red Sparks" is an Aerobatic demonstration team of the Polish Air Forces. Orlik Aerobatic Team ( Zespół Akrobacyjny "ORLIK") is an Aerobatic demonstration team of the Polish Air Forces Aviation Week & Space Technology, often abbreviated Aviation Week or AW&ST, is a weekly Magazine. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

External links

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