A Polish F-16+ seen carrying Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on its underwing pylons. The country has now acquired 232 of the AIM-9X Block II version of the missile as it continues to ramp up its wider military capabilities. (Polish Ministry of National Defence)
Poland has ordered hundreds of RTX AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to equip its fleet of Western-built combat aircraft.
The Armaments Agency (AA) announced the contract on 29 November, saying that 232 missiles will be received from 2028 to 2030. No contract value was disclosed, but in March the US government approved the sale of 232 Sidewinders for USD219.1 million, including related equipment, training, and support.
The AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder improves on the Block I with a redesigned fuze, as well as new onboard processors, rocket motor battery, ignition safety device, and datalink. The improved datalink, which is the same as that fitted to the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), doubles the maximum range of the missile and greatly increases its effectiveness throughout the engagement zone. This enables long-range engagements using a lofted trajectory and (near) rear-hemisphere engagements when combined with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). The Block II missile also has a software-driven lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability.
In Polish Air Force service, the Sidewinder is carried by the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50, as well as by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II when that arrives in-country from 2025.
For more information on the Polish Air Force, please seePoland – Air Force .
This article, originally published on 29 November 2024, has been updated with new information.
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