On November 14th, 2022 the first American multi-role F-16 arrived at the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze in Bydgoszcz. The repair of this aircraft – damaged during landing – starts a new chapter at WZL in Bydgoszcz – repair of USAF F-16s.
All take-off and landing operations of these aircraft performed at the airport in Bydgoszcz for the needs of WZL will be secured by a mobile emergency aircraft arresting system BAK-12/Portarrest P-IV manufactured by the US company Engineered Arresting Systems /ESCO/.
The system was relocated from one of the air bases of the Polish Air Force. The personnel of the Aviation Technology Workshops in Toruń (IWsp SZ) will be responsible for the installation of the system on the runway, and maintenance shall be provided by the air base personnel.
To Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 S.A. the first American F-16C multi-role aircraft was delivered, which is to undergo the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) here. Polish plants, as part of cooperation with the American company AAR Government Services, are to carry out work on allied aircraft over the next five years, and in the event of an extension of the contract – even ten.
The contract has been concluded and applies to all American F-16s stationed in Europe. (US Air Force Europe), and therefore about 90 aircraft. This means that WZL No. 2 already has far-reaching competences when it comes to this world’s most popular combat aircraft and will be able to carry out numerous service procedures also on Polish F-16s, and potentially on machines from other countries, especially those from Central and Eastern Europe. -Eastern – of course, if there are orders. Earlier, WZL No. 2 carried out work on the Polish F-16C/D.
https://defence24.pl/przemysl/polskie-zaklady-rozpoczely-serwis-amerykanskich-f-16-wideo
