Poland Denies Interest in F-15EX Amid Controversy Over US Contract

A recent US Department of War contract announcement has stirred up controversy in Poland, as the country's name appears alongside several other nations as potential customers for Boeing's F-15EX programme. The contract, worth up to $131.23 billion, covers production, systems integration, modernisation, upgrades, retrofits, sustainment, and depot maintenance.

The Polish Ministry of National Defence quickly denied any intention to purchase the F-15EX, stating that the country's armed forces do not plan to acquire the aircraft. However, this denial comes with a caveat, as Poland did order 96 Apache helicopters in 2017 after initially denying any interest in them.

Poland has been rapidly rearming since February 2022, with significant orders for FA-50 light combat aircraft, K2 tanks, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, and F-35As. However, the country's existing F-16 force is still the backbone of its air power, and a heavy fourth-generation fighter like the F-15EX could complement its stealth capabilities.

Boeing has been courting Warsaw for years, with Polish officers visiting St Louis to test-fly the F-15EX. The US Department of War's decision to include Poland in the contract framework suggests that Washington is preparing for a potential sale, but no order has been placed yet.