I've put it in the 'Potential Orders - Low probability' only because it still gets mentioned by Unions and politicians. Likelihood is very, very low with GCAP progress and the Turkey order...plus with Qatar and Saudi still in play. If they landed all 3 of those, and BAE are still reportedly confident I suspect they might not actually want any more orders as it would impact the set up for GCAP production....if Poland actually ordered Typhoon.... BAE might be in a pickle...
Eurofighters for Poland would be assembled in Italy.

Also Austria is planning on replacing its Tranche 1 Eurofighters with 36 new jets, possibly Eurofighter T4/T5.

 
Honestly not sure why Poland would want Typhoons when it already operates (or will operate) late model F-16s, F-35s, and soon, more advanced versions of the FA-50.

An excerpt:
Jak przekonuje Włoch, Eurofighter to najlepsza maszyna do obrony kraju sensu stricto: „Wyobraźmy sobie, że na Polskę idzie Su-35 z prędkością Mach 2. Samolot wielozadaniowy o niższym pułapie, nawet trudnowykrywalny, może zostać przez niego wykryty, ponieważ aby przechwycić wrogi obiekt, będzie on musiał lecieć wysoko i szybko, udostępniając w ten sposób swoją sygnaturę systemom FLIR.
Suchoj zobaczy go w termowizji i zareaguje. Na dodatek dzięki przewadze wysokości będzie mógł taki samolot wymanewrować. Z Typhoonem nie będzie mógł tego zrobić: to kombinacja wysokości, prędkości i zdolności wystrzelenia do przeciwnika z dużej odległości, zmuszenia go do uniku. Jeżeli Suchoj unik wykona, wówczas nie będzie mógł wystrzelić własnych pocisków, albo wspierać swoim radiolokatorem tych, które już wystrzelił. Nie ma takich możliwości. Co innego Typhoon, który dzięki radarowi E-Scan może skręcić nawet o ponad 90 stopni, ale dzięki ruchomej antenie wciąż będzie mógł oświetlać przeciwnika, oddalając się od niego, a jednocześnie wspierając pocisk własnym radarem!” – tłumaczy.
As the Italian argues, the Eurofighter is the best aircraft for homeland defense in the strict sense: "Let's imagine that the Su-35 is heading towards Poland at Mach 2. A lower-altitude multi-role aircraft, even one difficult to detect, can be detected by it because to intercept an enemy object, it will have to fly high and fast, thus making its signature available to FLIR systems. The Sukhoi will see it in thermal imaging and react. Moreover, thanks to its altitude advantage, it will be able to outmaneuver such an aircraft. It won't be able to do this with the Typhoon: it requires a combination of altitude, speed, and the ability to fire at the enemy from a long distance, forcing it to evade. If the Sukhoi evades, it will be unable to launch its own missiles or support those it has already launched with its radar. Such capabilities are nonexistent. The Typhoon is a different story; thanks to its E-Scan radar, it can turn by over 90 degrees, but thanks to its movable antenna, it will still be able to illuminate the enemy." moving away from it, and at the same time supporting the missile with its own radar!" – he explains.

Factors mentioned in the article:

- High operational readiness
- High cost-effectiveness
- flight envelope
- Good complement for the F-35
- Security Action For European (SAFE) and other benefits of going with a European aircraft
 
Eurofighters for Poland would be assembled in Italy.

Also Austria is planning on replacing its Tranche 1 Eurofighters with 36 new jets, possibly Eurofighter T4/T5.


The first article does not cite any particular replacement aircraft, the second only cites the Gripen NG and the F-35.
 
The first article does not cite any particular replacement aircraft, the second only cites the Gripen NG and the F-35.
:oops:
Here’s a source for the Eurofighter being a contender.
In Frage kommen laut Promberger dabei „neue Eurofighter (Hersteller Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH), aber auch schwedische Gripen (Hersteller Saab), französische Rafale (Hersteller Dassault) und möglicherweise auch amerikanische F-35 (Hersteller Lockheed Martin).”
According to Promberger, the possible aircraft to be considered are “new Eurofighters (manufacturer Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH), but also Swedish Gripens (manufacturer Saab), French Rafales (manufacturer Dassault) and possibly also American F-35s (manufacturer Lockheed Martin).”
 
Eurofighters for Poland would be assembled in Italy.
But would be assembled from UK built front fuselages and fins, rear-fuselage is shared between UK and Italy, but I'm not certain if that's some bits from each, or fully duplicated. There's been a lot of hoo-ha about the Warton final assembly line closing, but that doesn't mean all UK Typhoon production work stops. Any order is an order for work from all of the partners.
 
Quite right DWG, many of the people who are not interested in military aviation tend to forget that the Typhoon was a program started with four partners the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. So any order will be a bonus for the Warton factory and that will be good for them until the GCAP/Tempest production gets up and running in the 2030s.
 
Honestly not sure why Poland would want Typhoons when it already operates (or will operate) late model F-16s, F-35s, and soon, more advanced versions of the FA-50.

Eh, their military is the European equivalent of Gulf State or Indonesian vanity project clusterfuckery. A little bit of everything here and there for the sake of it.

So it could really go either way. Although one would expect KAI to pitch their KF-21 to them as well down the line.
 
Honestly not sure why Poland would want Typhoons when it already operates (or will operate) late model F-16s, F-35s, and soon, more advanced versions of the FA-50.
Probably as a quick shoe-in to replace some of the F-16s and MiG-29s that they have in service. Back in 2023, there were supposed discussions about purchasing F-15EX or Typhoon as a Fulcrum replacement, though it seems Typhoon was preferred. The idea was probably to have a multirole fighter between the F/A-50 and F-35 whilst expanding the capabilities of their airforce without breaking the bank
 
Here’s a source for the Eurofighter being a contender.
Incidentally, why is Austria looking to replace its Eurofighters so early?

Austria's fleet of 15 Eurofighters must have ~80% of their service lives remaining, since they just celebrated 20,000 flight hours so just over 1,300 hrs per aircraft on average. And flying an average of only ~80hrs per aircraft per year they could keep flying till the turn of the century and still be structurally sound!
 
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Probably as a quick shoe-in to replace some of the F-16s and MiG-29s that they have in service. Back in 2023, there were supposed discussions about purchasing F-15EX or Typhoon as a Fulcrum replacement, though it seems Typhoon was preferred. The idea was probably to have a multirole fighter between the F/A-50 and F-35 whilst expanding the capabilities of their airforce without breaking the bank
I find the Polish fleet mix somewhat comprehensible. At first glance only the F-16 Viper upgrade, in addition to F-35s, looks like an overkill but even that has some logic to it, in my opinion.

Firstly Poland wanted to bind itself fully to the US, in terms of national security (perhaps to get some nukes as well). So the F-35s, in addition to Patriot systems makes sense – I normally have my doubts about stealthy aircraft in a defensive setting but with its intercomparability with Patriot systems, I can see at least some merits.
To balance some of the F-35s and F-16s shortcomings out (for air superiority/interceptions/ air policing, as a missile truck), getting a few F-15EX or Typhoons make also sense to me. F-15EXes would be my first choice (same engine as F-16 and ammunition) if I would fully trust the US with my national security which nobody should do anymore.
So the Typhoon or Rafale would be the obvious contenders left – the KF-21s have the same US dependency as all their other US aircraft.

I think the F-16v overkill will just be a temporary one, phasing them out (perhaps shipping them to Ukraine) while getting the newest F-35s step by step. The Polish paranoia is historically well justified in this matter.

As of now, the KAI T-50 is the most modern trainer aircraft, so getting and arming them makes sense too. If your intention is to get rid of the F-16s in the future, you should have some light fighter for less important duties. (high running costs for F-35s and Typhoons)
 
Incidentally, why is Austria looking to replace its Eurofighters so early?

Austria's fleet of 15 Eurofighters must have ~80% of their service lives remaining, since they just celebrated 20,000 flight hours so just over 1,300 hrs per aircraft on average. And flying an average of only ~80hrs per aircraft per year they could keep flying till the turn of the century and still be structurally sound!
Austrian Eurofighters are Tranche 1 "monkey models" and are not upgradeable to later standards. Largely Austria's fault though since they had originally ordered Tranche 2s in 2003 but, in 2007, they renegotiated the contract, cutting numbers and exchanging the Tranche 2s for the less capable Tranche 1s. They went even further than that and cut some vital capabilities like RWR, IRST and AIM-120 in a foolish and short-sighted attempt to save money. So they ended up with a neutered version of the Eurofighter with no DASS, no PIRATE, no BVR missiles and with no room for major upgrades... Way to go, Austria. :rolleyes:
 
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Austrian Eurofighters are Tranche 1 "monkey models" and are not upgradeable to later standards. Largely Austria's fault though since they had originally ordered Tranche 2s in 2003 but, in 2007, they renegotiated the contract, cutting numbers and exchanging the Tranche 2s for the less capable Tranche 1s. They went even further than that and cut some vital capabilities like RWR, IRST and AIM-120 in a foolish and short-sighted attempt to save money. So they ended up with a neutered version of the Eurofighter with no DASS, no PIRATE, no BVR missiles and with no room for major upgrades... Way to go, Austria.
Can they not carry AMRAAM or just don’t have them?
 
Because they are some of the oldest models, which cannot be upgraded to current standards
from what I've heard, those air frames have had structural modifications that limit any future upgrades. things such as too many holes being drilled in key parts of the air frame, where any more modifications would negatively impact the structural integrity of the aircraft.
 
To balance some of the F-35s and F-16s shortcomings out (for air superiority/interceptions/ air policing, as a missile truck), getting a few F-15EX or Typhoons make also sense to me. F-15EXes would be my first choice (same engine as F-16 and ammunition) if I would fully trust the US with my national security which nobody should do anymore.

Honestly I do not understand what the heck are you talking about.
  1. What kind of "shortcomings" have the F-35A in air superiority / interceptions / air policing?
    With internal weapons it's have had larger range than the F-15EX without external fuel tanks.
    If the F-15EX have external fuel tanks it's have lower top speed than the F-35A.
  2. The "missile truck" actually can be the F-35A with external weapons and even the F-16's with AIM-120's, the Lockheed has marketed the Block 70 with triple rack on the 3. and 7. pilon (means 8x AIM-120's), we seen double racks too. Simply it's not really common. As the whole missile truck concept itself. So it's a marketing bullshit from Boeing...
  3. The only advantage of the Typhoon for the Polish Air Force is the diversification. But they do that with South Korean light fighters/trainers...
 
(same engine as F-16 and ammunition)

Polish F-16s have F100-PW-229 engines, F-15EX comes exclusively with F110-GE-129 engines.

from what I've heard, those air frames have had structural modifications that limit any future upgrades. things such as too many holes being drilled in key parts of the air frame, where any more modifications would negatively impact the structural integrity of the aircraft.

That's the case for all T1 airframes and is the reason why all users (except Spain, so far?) retire and/or replace them early.
 
That's the case for all T1 airframes and is the reason why all users (except Spain, so far?) retire and/or replace them early.
What a waste... a likely sign of shoddy design work IMHO. And also why the hell not give them to Ukraine?
 
What a waste... a likely sign of shoddy design work IMHO. And also why the hell not give them to Ukraine?
Exact same concerns apply to Ukraine tenfold.
What's the point?
 
Because they are some of the oldest models, which cannot be upgraded to current standards
from what I've heard, those air frames have had structural modifications that limit any future upgrades. things such as too many holes being drilled in key parts of the air frame, where any more modifications would negatively impact the structural integrity of the aircraft.

First of all why would the airframes be sabotaged like that? Secondly I suspect that they could be upgraded but that would require the T1 airframes being sent back to the factory to be dismantled and rebuilt which would no doubt cost a fair bit of money.
 
Polish F-16s have F100-PW-229 engines, F-15EX comes exclusively with F110-GE-129 engines.
The F-15EX could use the F100 and P&W pitched it directly to Poland.

 
Honestly I do not understand what the heck are you talking about.
  1. What kind of "shortcomings" have the F-35A in air superiority / interceptions / air policing?
    With internal weapons it's have had larger range than the F-15EX without external fuel tanks.
    If the F-15EX have external fuel tanks it's have lower top speed than the F-35A.
  2. The "missile truck" actually can be the F-35A with external weapons and even the F-16's with AIM-120's, the Lockheed has marketed the Block 70 with triple rack on the 3. and 7. pilon (means 8x AIM-120's), we seen double racks too. Simply it's not really common. As the whole missile truck concept itself. So it's a marketing bullshit from Boeing...
  3. The only advantage of the Typhoon for the Polish Air Force is the diversification. But they do that with South Korean light fighters/trainers...
At least the Eurofighter as it would be delivered to Poland will likely have a superior radar (ECRS Mk1/Mk2 vs AN/APG-81) compared to the F-35, a vastly superior missiles in Meteor, far lower maintenance requirements and a vastly superior flight envelope (higher ceiling, true supercruise, higher top speed, highest acceleration and climb rate) and superior dogfighting capabilities (particularly relevant for air policing as this often happens WVR). For interception, the Eurofighter can get into a better position to launch its missiles than the F-35 and do so in a shorter timeframe (in this regard it likely outclasses any other current fighter jet). For general air superiority from Poland‘s perspective it comes down to which is more effective at fighting off a Russian attack, and as the Eurofighter would also be expected to have a detection stand-off against Russian fighter jets and the weapons to leverage it, the factors mentioned above make it the preferred choice for air superiority of others in a similar position, namely the UK, Germany and Italy. Considering the production capacity is to be expanded to meet among others the demand from Germany and Italy for additional and replacement Eurofighters, the choice of these three primary operators to use it over the F-35 for this task also can’t simply be explained away as industrial policy.
 
At least the Eurofighter as it would be delivered to Poland will likely have a superior radar (ECRS Mk1/Mk2 vs AN/APG-81) compared to the F-35, a vastly superior missiles in Meteor, far lower maintenance requirements and a vastly superior flight envelope (higher ceiling, true supercruise, higher top speed, highest acceleration and climb rate) and superior dogfighting capabilities (particularly relevant for air policing as this often happens WVR). For interception, the Eurofighter can get into a better position to launch its missiles than the F-35 and do so in a shorter timeframe (in this regard it likely outclasses any other current fighter jet). For general air superiority from Poland‘s perspective it comes down to which is more effective at fighting off a Russian attack, and as the Eurofighter would also be expected to have a detection stand-off against Russian fighter jets and the weapons to leverage it, the factors mentioned above make it the preferred choice for air superiority of others in a similar position, namely the UK, Germany and Italy. Considering the production capacity is to be expanded to meet among others the demand from Germany and Italy for additional and replacement Eurofighters, the choice of these three primary operators to use it over the F-35 for this task also can’t simply be explained away as industrial policy.

Sorry, but almost none of you your argument are valid, perhaps the radar itself, but that's a different story (the F-35A have had the integral DAS and EOTS for the sensor suite, if you compare them, the ECRS Mk.1 are comparable to the AN/APG-81, but the Mk.2 only coming at the end of the decade).

  1. The Meteor itself heading for the F-35.
  2. The "far lower maintenance requirements" are hard to justify with a 2 engine plane
  3. The better flight envelope only true with conformal external loadout (4+2 AAM), just as the top speed, acceleration and climb rate.
    But when do you seen an EF without external fuel tanks? Yea, perhaps in air shows.
    Even for air policy missions the EF-s bring two external fuel tanks. Do you suggest the EF have better top speed, acceleration and climb rate with fuel tanks? Think it over please.
  4. The EF are not a stealth plane. The F-35 is. Because of this F-35 have edge in almost all wartime scenario.
    Yes, if an air policy mission become dogfight, it's probably a exception. But after that?
Do not misunderstud me, I do not want to trolling the EF topic.
I just pointing out false arguments about the Polish fighter procurement.
The EF have not got any canche there, if the Polish goverment do not overrule the military pragmatism.
As the Polish Air Force have 32 pieces of F-35 in order, and have 36+12 F-16's, there is hardly a more logical choice than an another 36 pieces of F-35A.
So if either the F-15EX or the EF win that tender, that's only can be because of political reason and not a technical, tactical, strategical or logistical one.

That's my point...
 
Sorry, but almost none of you your argument are valid, perhaps the radar itself, but that's a different story (the F-35A have had the integral DAS and EOTS for the sensor suite, if you compare them, the ECRS Mk.1 are comparable to the AN/APG-81, but the Mk.2 only coming at the end of the decade).

  1. The Meteor itself heading for the F-35.
  2. The "far lower maintenance requirements" are hard to justify with a 2 engine plane
  3. The better flight envelope only true with conformal external loadout (4+2 AAM), just as the top speed, acceleration and climb rate.
    But when do you seen an EF without external fuel tanks? Yea, perhaps in air shows.
    Even for air policy missions the EF-s bring two external fuel tanks. Do you suggest the EF have better top speed, acceleration and climb rate with fuel tanks? Think it over please.
  4. The EF are not a stealth plane. The F-35 is. Because of this F-35 have edge in almost all wartime scenario.
    Yes, if an air policy mission become dogfight, it's probably a exception. But after that?
Do not misunderstud me, I do not want to trolling the EF topic.
I just pointing out false arguments about the Polish fighter procurement.
The EF have not got any canche there, if the Polish goverment do not overrule the military pragmatism.
As the Polish Air Force have 32 pieces of F-35 in order, and have 36+12 F-16's, there is hardly a more logical choice than an another 36 pieces of F-35A.
So if either the F-15EX or the EF win that tender, that's only can be because of political reason and not a technical, tactical, strategical or logistical one.

That's my point...
  1. You're not seriously claiming that a 2000s radar using fixed GaAs-based antenna (AN/APG-81) is comparable to a 2020s radar with a GaN-based antenna, a similar overall number of TRMs (>1,500 as per Hensoldt's report to its shareholders) and a swashplate mount (ECRS Mk1)? https://annualreport2021.hensoldt.net/resource/en/downloads/HENSOLDT_GB_E_2021.pdf
  2. Meteor for F-35 has been pushed back to the 30s by the joint program office, and knowing the US it might well be pushed back further. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/meteor-integration-on-f-35b-delayed-from-2027-to-early-2030s/
  3. Maintenance requirements can be measured both in time it takes and money it costs per flight hour. In both regards the Eurofighter is superior to the F-35 by a substantial margin. https://ekonomickydenik.cz/app/uplo...gh-life-costs-study-may-2023-final-report.pdf
  4. The better flight envelope is also with external fuel tanks, considering the Eurofighter has been demonstrated to outrate a clean F-16 while carrying them. The Eurofighter's Mach 1.5 supercruise figure is with full AAM-fit btw., so 6+2 AAMs. https://www.eurojet.de/aircraft/
  5. The Eurofighter might not be a stealth plane like the F-35, but it is a semi-stealth fighter, based on the datapoints provided by the senior EADS radar expert from this 2011 Korea Times article (reputable source) with a frontal RCS as low as ~0.025 m², assuming a 300 km range for the Captor-E against a 1 m² RCS target based on the ~59 km value against F-35 (RCS reported to be about the size of a golf ball, so 0.0015 m², or less). https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20111024/f-35-a-game-changer-in-modern-warfare
 
Does Captor use GaN? I was under the impression The MK2 would only use GaN elements.


According to German wiki which cites this document
According to Indra Sistemas, Antenne (LRI #9), Transmitter Auxiliary Unit (TAU) and Antenna Power Supply & Controller (APSC) will be different from the CAPTOR-M. The TAU of the CAPTOR-E is to be fed with 12.75 kVA, so that after losses 10.58 kW flow into the APSC, which is to operate with over 88% efficiency.[91]Consequently, the output power here would be over 9.31 kW. The cooling of the components in the CAPTOR-E is to be realized by vapor cooling.


Those power figures are not too far off other contemporary AESA. I’ve got nothing on the MK2 radar but the antenna is small and the Typhoon does not have the same electrical generation capacity.
 
Does Captor use GaN? I was under the impression The MK2 would only use GaN elements.


According to German wiki which cites this document



Those power figures are not too far off other contemporary AESA. I’ve got nothing on the MK2 radar but the antenna is small and the Typhoon does not have the same electrical generation capacity.
The ECRS Mk1 (Germany/Spain) and Mk2 (UK/Italy) will both use GaN-based TRMs, the Mk0 (the one exported to Kuwait and Qatar) uses GaAs-based TRMs. And the Eurofighter’s antenna is actually described to be large with the rumored number of TRMs for the Mk0 being 1626, identical to the AN/APG-81.
https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/08.airborne/karte048.de.html
 
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The ECRS Mk1 (Germany/Spain) and Mk2 (UK/Italy) will both use GaN-based TRMs, the Mk0 (the one exported to Kuwait and Qatar) uses GaAs-based TRMs. And the Eurofighter’s antenna is actually described to be large with the rumored number of TRMs for the Mk0 being 1626, identical to the AN/APG-81.
https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/08.airborne/karte048.de.html


Looks like MK1 is GaN and MK2 is GAaS and GaN. I didn’t know mk1 was full GaN, however on the other hand Polish jets should have apg-85 which is GaN.

 
And also why the hell not give them to Ukraine?
They don't have the infrastructure as of yet. Probably better to give them F-16s and M2Ks for now before giving them a platform like Typhoon.
The Meteor itself heading for the F-35.
That is true but is that necessarily relevant when it keeps getting pushed back further and further? If the Poles want Meteor, they may as well get Typhoon as those come with Meteor already. By current estimates, full integration for Meteor on F-35 isn't expected until 2030, and that's only the IOC iirc.
 


Looks like MK1 is GaN and MK2 is GAaS and GaN. I didn’t know mk1 was full GaN, however on the other hand Polish jets should have apg-85 which is GaN.

AN/APG-85 has apparently been pushed back to Lot 20, so I wouldn’t expect IOC anytime in the next five years. It’s also unclear whether the US will actually export this radar to its allies. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06...s-lockheed-proposes-new-f-35-fuselage-design/
 
AN/APG-85 has apparently been pushed back to Lot 20, so I wouldn’t expect IOC anytime in the next five years. It’s also unclear whether the US will actually export this radar to its allies. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06...s-lockheed-proposes-new-f-35-fuselage-design/
According to the JPO it’s still planned for lot 17
The JPO declined to comment on a possible radar delay. It told Air & Space Forces Magazine only that “the APG-85 is planned for initial fielding in Lot 17.”

The APG-85, the JPO said, “will be compatible with all variants of the F-35 aircraft” and able to defeat “current and projected adversarial air and surface threats.” It called the inclusion of the new radar “a key capability development in response to the increasing capabilities” of adversaries.

Neither the MK1, 2 or 85 are in service yet.


Lot 20 allows both radars which implies export
 
Neither the MK1, 2 or 85 are in service yet.


Lot 20 allows both radars which implies export
Well, the first Mk1 Step 0s are to be delivered this year as part of the first T4 Eurofighters for the Luftwaffe and the series production of the Step 1 variant is to start this summer or possibly already has. The rest we‘ll see, assuming it is made public.
 
The F-15EX could use the F100 and P&W pitched it directly to Poland.


Could, if Poland pays for it.
Israel, who operate -229 powered F-15Is, have decided against it it seems. So I'd say chances are low.
 
First of all why would the airframes be sabotaged like that?
Don't think 'sabotage', think too many post-delivery mods.

Secondly I suspect that they could be upgraded but that would require the T1 airframes being sent back to the factory to be dismantled and rebuilt which would no doubt cost a fair bit of money.
That has been done, but in the case of the Airwork damaged Tornado F.3s it required sacrificing a Tornado F.2A for each F.3 that was repaired because you needed a parts donor for an entire centre fuselage.

 

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