Topzle Topzle

Polish Air Force

Updated: Wikipedia source

Polish Air Force

The Polish Air Force (Polish: Siły Powietrzne, lit. 'Air Forces') is the aerial warfare branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska 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 of World War I in 1918. During the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, 70% of its aircraft were destroyed. Most pilots, after the Soviet invasion of Poland on 17 September, escaped via Romania and Hungary to continue fighting throughout World War II in allied air forces, first in France, then in Britain, and later also the Soviet Union.

Infobox

Founded
de facto: 1917; 108 years ago (1917)de jure: 1918; 107 years ago (1918)
Country
Poland
Type
Air force
Role
Aerial warfare
Size
mw- 16,500 personnel261 aircraft
Part of
Polish Armed Forces
March
Marsz Lotników (March of Aviators)
Engagements
Polish–Ukrainian WarPolish–Soviet WarWorld War II Invasion of Poland Western Front Eastern Front War in IraqWar in AfghanistanOperation Inherent Resolve
Website
www.sp.mil.pl
Commander-in-Chief
Karol Nawrocki
Minister of National Defence
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz
Chief of the General Staff
General Wiesław Kukuła
General Commander
Generał broni Marek Sokołowski
Inspector of the Air Force
Generał brygady Ireneusz Nowak [pl]
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

Tables

· History › Strength of Polish Air Force on 1 September 1939
Combat aircraft
Combat aircraft
Aircraft
Combat aircraft
PZL P.11
PZL P.11
Aircraft
PZL P.11
Origin
Poland
Type
Fighter
In service
175
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 140
PZL P.7
PZL P.7
Aircraft
PZL P.7
Origin
Poland
Type
Fighter
In service
105
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 30
PZL.23A
PZL.23A
Aircraft
PZL.23A
Origin
Poland
Type
Light bomber
In service
35
PZL.23B
PZL.23B
Aircraft
PZL.23B
Origin
Poland
Type
Light bomber
In service
170
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 120
PZL.43
PZL.43
Aircraft
PZL.43
Origin
Poland
Type
Light bomber
In service
6
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 6
PZL.46 Sum
PZL.46 Sum
Aircraft
PZL.46 Sum
Origin
Poland
Type
Light bomber
In service
2
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 1
PZL.37 Łoś
PZL.37 Łoś
Aircraft
PZL.37 Łoś
Origin
Poland
Type
Medium bomber
In service
86
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 36
LWS-6 Żubr
LWS-6 Żubr
Aircraft
LWS-6 Żubr
Origin
Poland
Type
Medium bomber
In service
15
Surveillance
Surveillance
Aircraft
Surveillance
Lublin R XIII
Lublin R XIII
Aircraft
Lublin R XIII
Origin
Poland
Type
Spotter
In service
150
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 55
RWD-14 Czapla
RWD-14 Czapla
Aircraft
RWD-14 Czapla
Origin
Poland
Type
Reconnaissance
In service
60
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 40
RWD 8
RWD 8
Aircraft
RWD 8
Origin
Poland
Type
Reconnaissance
In service
550
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 20
PWS-16
PWS-16
Aircraft
PWS-16
Origin
Poland
Type
Reconnaissance / Trainer
In service
15
Notes
Combat formations consisted of 15
Aircraft
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
· Equipment › Aircraft
Combat aircraft
Combat aircraft
Aircraft
Combat aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Origin
United States
Type
multirole
Variant
F-16C
In service
35
Notes
One was lost in practice preparations for Radom Air Show on August 28, 2025.
F-16D
F-16D
Aircraft
F-16D
Origin
Used for conversion training
F-35 Lightning II
F-35 Lightning II
Aircraft
F-35 Lightning II
Origin
United States
Type
stealth multirole
Variant
F-35A
In service
7
Notes
32 ordered. 2 used for training.
KAI FA-50
KAI FA-50
Aircraft
KAI FA-50
Origin
South Korea
Type
light multirole
Variant
FA-50GF
In service
12
Notes
36 PL variants on order
Mikoyan MiG-29
Mikoyan MiG-29
Aircraft
Mikoyan MiG-29
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
multirole
Variant
MiG-29A
In service
11
MiG-29UB
MiG-29UB
Aircraft
MiG-29UB
Origin
Used for conversion training
Airborne early warning and control
Airborne early warning and control
Aircraft
Airborne early warning and control
Saab 340
Saab 340
Aircraft
Saab 340
Origin
Sweden
Type
AEW&C
Variant
Saab 340 AEW&C
In service
2
Notes
Erieye system
Transport
Transport
Aircraft
Transport
Boeing 737
Boeing 737
Aircraft
Boeing 737
Origin
United States
Type
VIP transport
Variant
800
In service
1
BBJ2
BBJ2
Aircraft
BBJ2
CASA C-295
CASA C-295
Aircraft
CASA C-295
Origin
Spain
Type
transport
In service
16
C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
Aircraft
C-130 Hercules
Origin
United States
Type
tactical airlifter
Variant
C-130E
In service
5
C-130H
C-130H
Aircraft
C-130H
Origin
2 on order
Gulfstream G550
Gulfstream G550
Aircraft
Gulfstream G550
Origin
United States
Type
VIP transport
In service
2
PZL M28 Skytruck
PZL M28 Skytruck
Aircraft
PZL M28 Skytruck
Origin
Poland
Type
transport
In service
23
Helicopters
Helicopters
Aircraft
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
Aircraft
Mil Mi-8
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
utility
Variant
Mi-8/17
In service
11
PZL Mi-2
PZL Mi-2
Aircraft
PZL Mi-2
Origin
Poland
Type
liaison
In service
17
PZL W-3 Sokół
PZL W-3 Sokół
Aircraft
PZL W-3 Sokół
Origin
Poland
Type
utility
In service
5
Trainer aircraft
Trainer aircraft
Aircraft
Trainer aircraft
Alenia M-346
Alenia M-346
Aircraft
Alenia M-346
Origin
Italy
Type
advanced trainer
In service
15
Notes
1 lost July 2024
Diamond DA42
Diamond DA42
Aircraft
Diamond DA42
Origin
Austria
Type
multi engine trainer
In service
3
Guimbal Cabri G2
Guimbal Cabri G2
Aircraft
Guimbal Cabri G2
Origin
France
Type
rotorcraft trainer
In service
6
PZL SW-4
PZL SW-4
Aircraft
PZL SW-4
Origin
Poland
Type
rotorcraft trainer
In service
24
PZL-130 Orlik
PZL-130 Orlik
Aircraft
PZL-130 Orlik
Origin
Poland
Type
trainer
In service
27
Robinson R44
Robinson R44
Aircraft
Robinson R44
Origin
United States
Type
rotorcraft trainer
In service
3
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Aircraft
Unmanned aerial vehicles
MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
Aircraft
MQ-9 Reaper
Origin
United States
Type
UCAV
Variant
MQ-9A
In service
—
Notes
Leasing undisclosed number
MQ-9B
MQ-9B
Aircraft
MQ-9B
Origin
3 on order
Bayraktar TB2
Bayraktar TB2
Aircraft
Bayraktar TB2
Origin
Turkey
Type
UCAV
In service
24
Aircraft
Image
Origin
Type
Variant
In service
Notes
Combat aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon
United States
multirole
F-16C
35
One was lost in practice preparations for Radom Air Show on August 28, 2025.
F-16D
12
Used for conversion training
F-35 Lightning II
United States
stealth multirole
F-35A
7
32 ordered. 2 used for training.
KAI FA-50
South Korea
light multirole
FA-50GF
12
36 PL variants on order
Mikoyan MiG-29
Soviet Union
multirole
MiG-29A
11
MiG-29UB
3
Used for conversion training
Airborne early warning and control
Saab 340
Sweden
AEW&C
Saab 340 AEW&C
2
Erieye system
Transport
Boeing 737
United States
VIP transport
800
1
BBJ2
2
CASA C-295
Spain
transport
16
C-130 Hercules
United States
tactical airlifter
C-130E
5
C-130H
3
2 on order
Gulfstream G550
United States
VIP transport
2
PZL M28 Skytruck
Poland
transport
23
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8
Soviet Union
utility
Mi-8/17
11
PZL Mi-2
Poland
liaison
17
PZL W-3 Sokół
Poland
utility
5
Trainer aircraft
Alenia M-346
Italy
advanced trainer
15
1 lost July 2024
Diamond DA42
Austria
multi engine trainer
3
Guimbal Cabri G2
France
rotorcraft trainer
6
PZL SW-4
Poland
rotorcraft trainer
24
PZL-130 Orlik
Poland
trainer
27
Robinson R44
United States
rotorcraft trainer
3
Unmanned aerial vehicles
MQ-9 Reaper
United States
UCAV
MQ-9A
—
Leasing undisclosed number
MQ-9B
0
3 on order
Bayraktar TB2
Turkey
UCAV
24
· Equipment › Air defence
MIM-104F Patriot
MIM-104F Patriot
Name
MIM-104F Patriot
Origin
United States
Type
HIMAD
In service
2 batteries
Notes
6 batteries on order. Utilizes IBCS.
NAREW
NAREW
Name
NAREW
Origin
Poland United Kingdom
Type
SHORAD
In service
6 launchers
Notes
100 on order
PSR-A Pilica
PSR-A Pilica
Name
PSR-A Pilica
Origin
Poland
Type
VSHORAD
In service
6 batteries
Notes
22 batteries on order
PPZR Grom
PPZR Grom
Name
PPZR Grom
Origin
Poland
Type
MANPADS
Notes
used by PSR-A Pilica
PPZR Piorun
PPZR Piorun
Name
PPZR Piorun
Origin
Poland
Type
MANPADS
Notes
used by PSR-A Pilica
S-125 Neva
S-125 Neva
Name
S-125 Neva
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
mobile SAM system
In service
51 units
Name
Image
Origin
Type
In service
Notes
MIM-104F Patriot
United States
HIMAD
2 batteries
6 batteries on order. Utilizes IBCS.
NAREW
Poland United Kingdom
SHORAD
6 launchers
100 on order
PSR-A Pilica
Poland
VSHORAD
6 batteries
22 batteries on order
PPZR Grom
Poland
MANPADS
used by PSR-A Pilica
PPZR Piorun
Poland
MANPADS
used by PSR-A Pilica
S-125 Neva
Soviet Union
mobile SAM system
51 units

References

  1. shinden.org/av_hist
    http://www.shinden.org/av_hist/index.php?position=0.3.2
  2. Z historii polskiego lotnictwa wojskowego 1918–1939
  3. Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140514054742/http://mon.gov.pl/z/pliki/dokumenty/rozne/2014/04/podstawowe_informacje_o_budzecie_resortu_ON_na_2014_r.pdf
  4. "World Air Forces 2022"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/how-afghanistans-fall-reshaped-world-air-forces-inventory/146576.article
  5. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO7DS034lRo
  6. isap.sejm.gov.pl
    http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU19930340154/U/D19930154Lj.pdf
  7. Samoloty myśliwskie w lotnictwie polskim
  8. History of the Polish Air Force. Archived 2011-10-25 at the Wayback Machine Polish Air Force Public Affairs Office. Retr
    http://www.sp.mil.pl/en/history-of-the-polish-air-force
  9. Morgała (1997), p. 97
  10. Morgała (1997), pp. 242–244
  11. www.samolotypolskie.pl
    http://www.samolotypolskie.pl/samoloty/1904/126/Morane-Saulnier-MS-406C1
  12. Wierności dochować żołnierskiej
  13. "KONFERENCJA "Rozwój techniki, technologii i transportu w lotnictwie""
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131019154220/http://www.rtl.put.poznan.pl/sites/files/WZLnr2Bydgoszcz.pdf
  14. Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/world/polish-air-force-unit-disbanded-due-to-2010-crash/
  15. Polish Air Force VIP Unit Formally Disbanded. Archived 2016-08-10 at the Wayback Machine 4-Jan-2012.
    http://www.key.aero/view_article.asp?ID=4631&thisSection=military
  16. "Polish Government sets in motion measures to upgrade its VIP aircraft fleet as Foreign Affairs Minister visits Dublin"
    https://flyinginireland.com/2016/11/polish-government-sets-in-motion-measures-to-upgrade-its-vip-aircraft-fleet-as-foreign-affairs-minister-visits-dublin/
  17. Poland Signs Deal to Buy 2 US-Made Gulfstream VIP Planes. Archived 2016-11-15 at the Wayback Machine abcnews, Nov 14, 20
    https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/poland-signs-deal-buy-us-made-gulfstream-vip-43529786
  18. Boeing Business Jets, Government of Poland Sign Multi-Airplane Deal. Archived 2017-04-08 at the Wayback Machine boeing.c
    http://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=129874
  19. World Air Forces 2014 Archived 2016-01-07 at the Wayback Machine December 10, 2013
    http://img.en25.com/Web/flightglobal/%7B88f2f053-6c3d-4ab4-a297-0b453358a560%7D_FC055_PREM_201312.pdf?elq=&elqCampaignId=
  20. "Vehicle and aircraft holdings within the scope of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty 2014" Archived 2017-10
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310189/Conventional-AF-Europe-2014-Bulletin.pdf
  21. The Aviationist
    https://theaviationist.com/2016/11/15/the-polish-air-force-has-received-the-first-two-m-346-master-advanced-jet-trainers/
  22. "Dostawa pierwszych M346"
    http://grztus.pl/2016/11/14/dostawa-pierwszych-m346/
  23. Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy
    http://thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/190238,Polish-army-on-spending-spree
  24. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-fighters-lockheedmartin/poland-plans-to-buy-32-f-35a-fighters-minister-idUSKCN1SY0NQ
  25. dsca.mil
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190912125304/https://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/poland-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft
  26. "US Congress Greenlights Poland's F-35 Jet Purchase – Polish Top Brass"
    https://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/206221/us-congress-approves-poland%E2%80%99s-f_35-jet-purchase.html
  27. apnews.com
    https://apnews.com/f2b9986d24eb0715392f3349d4e1f8e8
  28. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland
    https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/statement-of-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-republic-of-poland-in-connection-with-the-statement-by-the-us-secretary-of-state-on-providing-airplanes-to-ukraine
  29. "World Air Forces 2024"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881
  30. Defence24
    https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/polskie-f-35-w-bazie-gwardii-narodowej-beda-sluzyc-do-szkolenia
  31. Defence24
    https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/przelomowy-rok-dla-polskiego-lotnictwa
  32. scramble.nl
    https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-batch-of-polish-fa-50gf-delivered
  33. "Poland brings Soviet era Mig-29's back into service"
    https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/poland-brings-soviet-era-mig-29s-back-into-service-8896
  34. "Polish air force receives first upgraded MiG-29"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-polish-air-force-receives-first-upgraded-mig-29-389174/
  35. "Poland transfers ten MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine"
    https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3706466-poland-transfers-ten-mig29-fighter-jets-to-ukraine.html
  36. "Saab delivers second early warning aircraft to Poland"
    https://defence-industry.eu/saab-delivers-second-early-warning-aircraft-to-poland/
  37. Wydawnictwo militarne ZBIAM
    https://zbiam.pl/rzadowe-bbj2-w-komplecie/
  38. "Kolejny Hercules zasilił Siły Powietrzne"
    https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/kolejny-hercules-zasilil-sily-powietrzne/
  39. The Aviationist
    https://theaviationist.com/2017/06/22/the-polish-air-force-takes-delivery-of-its-first-gulfstream-g550-vip-aircraft/
  40. Aviation International News
    https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2022-10-25/poland-lease-reapers-ahead-planned-mq-9b-buy
  41. Breaking Defense
    https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/poland-acquires-general-atomics-mq-9b-skyguardian-in-310m-deal/
  42. "Ostatnie Bayraktary dotarły do Polski"
    https://defence24.pl/przemysl/ostatnie-bayraktary-dotarly-do-polski
  43. "Heavy Airlift Wing"
    https://www.sacprogram.org/en/Pages/Heavy-Airlift-Wing.aspx
  44. defence24.pl
    https://defence24.pl/polityka-obronna/wisla-i-patrioty-za-475-mld-dolarow-kontrakt-podpisany
  45. Milmag
    https://milmag.pl/drugi-zestaw-mala-narew-juz-w-wojsku-polskim/
  46. Dziennikzbrojny
    https://dziennikzbrojny.pl/aktualnosci/news,1,11933,aktualnosci-z-polski,przelomowa-umowa-na-produkcje-w-polsce-wyrzutni-i-rakiet-systemu-narew
  47. Defence24
    https://defence24.pl/polityka-obronna/wszystkie-zestawy-pilica-przekazane-wojsku-polskiemu
  48. "Główne elementy systemu Pilica+ zamówione"
    https://dziennikzbrojny.pl/aktualnosci/news,1,11784,aktualnosci-z-polski,glowne-elementy-systemu-pilica-zamowione
  49. DziennikZbrojny.pl
    http://dziennikzbrojny.pl/artykuly/art,2,4,10900,armie-swiata,wojsko-polskie,nad-wisla-bezpieczniej
  50. "Pioruny i nowe Spike już w wojsku – Defence24"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190810164230/https://www.defence24.pl/pioruny-i-nowe-spike-juz-w-wojsku
  51. Wojsko-Polskie.pl
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/3brt/RAT-31DL/
  52. "Directly subordinate units"
    http://dgrsz.mon.gov.pl/dowodztwo/artykul/departamenty/jednostkiinstytucje-bezposrednio-podlege-1032549/
  53. "1st Tactical Air Wing - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/1slt/None/
  54. "Russia Is Watching: Poland's First F-35 Husarz To Arrive This Summer"
    https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-watching-polands-first-f-35-husarz-arrive-summer-210946
  55. "2nd Tactical Air Wing - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/2slt/jednostki-bezposrednio-podlegle/
  56. "3rd Transport Air Wing - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/3sltr/jednostki-podlegle/
  57. "4th Training Air Wing - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/4slsz/jednostki-podlegle/
  58. "3rd Air Defense Missile Brigade "Warsaw" - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/3brop/jednostki-podlegle/
  59. "Intensyfikujemy wdrażanie Patriotów do służby w Siłach Zbrojnych RP"
    https://www.gov.pl/web/obrona-narodowa/intensyfikujemy-wdrazanie-patriotow-do-sluzby-w-silach-zbrojnych-rp
  60. "3rd Radiotechnical Brigade - Subordinate units"
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/3brt/bataliony/
  61. "Air Operations Center – Air Component Command"
    http://www.do.wp.mil.pl/info/cop/
  62. "Structure"
    http://cop.wp.mil.pl/pl/3.html
  63. wojsko-polskie.pl
    https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/14/fc/14fc23f7-28a0-4a42-9ac0-287d512ffcb9/08b_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_wl_i_sp_ok.pdf
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.