Poland has signed an approximately $175-million contract to purchase 232 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles from the US.
The US State Department approved the sale in March, in addition to 745 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs for $1.69 billion and 821 AGM-158B-2 JASSM-ER for $1.77 billion.
Raytheon’s short-range air-to-air missile will arm the Polish Air Force’s current and future aircraft, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of National Defense Paweł Bejda wrote on X.
The country possesses a range of fighter jets, including F-16 C/D Block 52+, T-50, and a pair of F-35s, with 32 more to come.
Delivery of the missile is expected to begin between 2028 and 2030 and includes supplementary components such as spare parts, logistics, and training packages.
AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II
The Block II variant features a redesigned fuze and digital ignition safety device for improved handling and in-flight safety.
Additionally, it has an enhanced infrared counter-countermeasures capability.
It provides a lock-on-after-launch capability, meaning its seeker doesn’t need to lock on to a target before launch.
The missile has a stated range of 20 miles (32 kilometers) and is compatible with a range of aircraft, including the E/A-18G, F/A-18C/D, F-15, F-15C, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F-16, F-22 and F-35.
It can also be employed with the NASAM, LAU-7, and LAU-12X series launchers.
