T-50 targets Poland

摘要

The lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) competition to provide the Polish AF with a brand-new aircraft is being viewed as a pivotal factor in the future of fast-jet training in Europe. Following the democratic transformation in Poland in the early 1990s it was clear that the country was forward-looking in its policy to forge new allies and assurances for security. The process of joining NATO was hugely important - but brought with it many caveats that required a comprehensive overhaul of Poland's military hardware. In 2003, four years after joining NATO, Poland purchased 48 F-16C/D Block 52 fighters, marking a huge step-change in capability, but also in terms of required training. Poland quickly discovered that its existing pilot training infrastructure was woefully inadequate, as even seasoned MiG-21, MiG-29 and Su-22 pilots struggled to adapt to the F-16's cockpit.