Poland has signed a $3.8 billion agreement with the United States to modernize its entire fleet of 48 F-16 fighter jets, enhancing its role as a key NATO ally on the alliance’s eastern flank. The deal, announced by Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, will upgrade the aging F-16 C/D variants, acquired between 2006 and 2008, to the advanced V Block 72 standard. The modernisation, set to occur from 2028 to 2038 at Poland’s Bydgoszcz facility, aims to improve reconnaissance, communications, and integration with other U.S.-supplied systems like F-35 jets, Abrams tanks, and Apache helicopters.

“This is an investment in security and interoperability with NATO allies,” the U.S. embassy in Warsaw stated, highlighting the strengthened defence partnership. The agreement, negotiated down from a potential $7.3 billion, is supported by a recent $4 billion U.S. loan guarantee under the Foreign Military Financing program. Poland, which spends 4.7% of its GDP on defence continues to bolster its military capabilities amid heightened regional tensions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The deal follows other major Polish defence contracts with the U.S. and South Korea, reinforcing Poland’s ambition to rank among NATO’s top three in operational strength.