The Polish government has signed an agreement with the US to procure over 200 AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles.
Warsaw received the purchase approval from the US in April last year.
The $745-million acquisition will enhance the Polish Air Force’s capability to target enemy radars and air and missile defense systems from a range of over 200 kilometers (124 miles).
Delivery will take place from 2029 to 2035.
“This is a breakthrough purchase,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said after signing the agreement on Tuesday.
“Only in such a case, when we have fully equipped F-35 aircraft, with the possibility of also adapting them to F-16 aircraft, are we able to effectively use all the capabilities of these most modern machines,” he continued.
“Today’s agreement is a huge progress in the field of operational capabilities, using the full potential of the Polish Air Force, using the F-35 aircraft in the way it should be done, because an aircraft without appropriate weapons, even the best one, does not constitute an advantage, does not constitute strength and effectiveness.”
AGM-88G AARGM-ER
The latest version of the AGM-88 missile series, the AGM-88G leverages existing AARGM sensors, electronics and digital models, and adds an advanced air vehicle with upgraded propulsion and an optimized warhead.
It features a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and advanced warhead to double the range over its predecessor, the AGM-88E2.
The supersonic Northrop Grumman missile uses a multi-mode seeker to home in on the radiation emitted by air defense radars.
The missile is compatible with the external carriage of the F-35A/B/C, as well as the internal carriage of the F-35A/C.
It will also be integrated with the F-16 in the future. The Polish Air Force operates both aircraft.