Report: Poland Orders Over 200 Sidewinder Block II Air-to-Air Missiles
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 air force 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.
