Poland Reclaims AIM-9L Missiles to Equip FA-50GF Fighter Jets

The Polish Ministry of Defense announced plans to sign a contract for the supply of AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles to equip the FA-50GF light combat aircraft.

The publication Defence24 reported on this.

The contract for the Sidewinder missiles will be signed on Monday, June 30, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Paweł Bejda.

The supply of short-range air-to-air AIM-9L missiles is intended to provide basic air defense capabilities for the FA-50GF light combat aircraft.

In September 2024, Deputy Minister of Defense Cezary Tomczyk criticized the procurement process of the FA-50 aircraft, particularly highlighting the lack of armament for these planes.

The deputy minister stated that the FA-50 is “probably the world’s first non-combat trainer-light attack aircraft (…) So we have a trainer-light attack aircraft that is a trainer, but not combat-capable.”

FA-50GF aircraft can only use older, discontinued versions of the AIM-9L, M, and P missiles, rather than the newer AIM-9X versions that Poland has purchased for its F-16s and F-35s.

However, the FA-50GF is an interim aircraft that is planned to be upgraded to the PL variant over time. It is currently used for training personnel who are expected to fly the FA-50PL variant in the future. The 32 FA-50PL aircraft will be capable of using the latest AIM-9X missile version.

However, the integration of the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile into the FA-50PL remains a challenge, as funding for its integration was not included in the purchase. This also requires approval from the United States.

As reported, the possibility of integration is still being studied. The research is expected to be completed within 3 to 4 years.

The FA-50 is the combat version of the T-50 — a South Korean supersonic jet trainer developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in partnership with Lockheed Martin.

Twelve FA-50GF aircraft and 36 FA-50PLs, along with a package of additional services, were purchased in July 2022. The cost of the FA-50GF purchase was approximately $705 million, while the FA-50PL deal was valued at $2.3 billion. The FA-50GF jets were delivered to Poland in the second half of 2023. Deliveries of the 36 light FA-50PL aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2025 and be completed by the end of 2028.