Poland’s future F-16 Block 72 fighters will be equipped with the new Viper Shield electronic warfare system

The Polish government has selected L3Harris Technologies to provide the AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield electronic warfare system, which will be integrated into the Polish Air Force’s future F-16s, to be upgraded to the Block 72 version.

Currently, the country operates 48 F-16C/D Block 52s, which will be modernized to the Block 72, the most advanced version available for this Lockheed Martin-built fighter. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that the program will require an investment of approximately $3.8 billion. The agreement was signed by Polish and U.S. authorities at the Military Aviation Plant No. 2 in Bydgoszcz.

“The current capabilities of the F-16 C/D version are good, but after 20 years, they are insufficient to face threats. We need to improve reconnaissance capabilities, communications, integration with the F-35, Abrams and Apache, as well as the ability to operate in any domain. The modernization, valued at $3.8 billion, will enable the transition from the C/D Block 52 version to the V Block 72 version, the same one acquired, among others, by the Slovaks as their most modern aircraft,” declared Kosiniak-Kamysz during his speech.

The modernization program will be carried out in Poland, at the aforementioned Bydgoszcz plant. The work includes the incorporation of AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radars, identification friend-or-foe systems, communication equipment, and the integration of the Viper Shield system. It also foresees investments in ground infrastructure related to the aircraft and the acquisition of new simulators for pilot training.

For its part, L3Harris highlighted that the Viper Shield is already in production and will be offered both as an integrated solution for F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft and as a retrofit configuration for earlier blocks, as is the case with the Polish fleet. It is also available in external pod format. “We are honored that Poland has selected us to modernize its F-16V fighters. Viper Shield will allow pilots to identify, locate, and counter rapidly evolving threats with greater chances of success,” said Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris.

The U.S. company noted that this software-defined system ensures future relevance by enabling the integration of new capabilities. Currently, the Viper Shield is being delivered to F-16 fleets in seven countries, with discussions ongoing with other U.S. allies and partners.

Images for illustrative purposes only.

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