Poland Purchases Ammunition for FA-50 Jets for the First Time

Poland has completed its first-ever ammunition purchase for FA-50 fighter jets through a groundbreaking agreement with Turkish defense manufacturer Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi at DSEI 2025. The Poland FA-50 ammunition deal represents a crucial milestone that will finally enable the South Korean-built aircraft delivered in 2023 to utilize their cannon weapons systems, addressing a significant operational capability gap that has persisted since the Poland FA-50 fighter jets entered service without proper armament support.

Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi announced the significant export agreement through its official X account, highlighting the successful negotiation of 20mm ammunition supplies for Poland’s FA-50 light fighter jet fleet. This partnership demonstrates growing defense cooperation between Turkey and Poland while addressing critical ammunition shortages that have limited the operational effectiveness of Poland’s newest fighter aircraft acquisitions.

The ammunition procurement includes 50,000 HEI M56A3 high-explosive incendiary shells and 50,000 TP M55A2 training shells specifically designed for the 20mm M197 cannons installed on Polish FA-50 aircraft. This comprehensive package ensures both combat readiness and training capabilities, providing Polish Air Force pilots with essential ammunition types for operational missions and skill development programs.

Polish defense company Mildat served as the crucial intermediary in this international ammunition transaction, receiving the official order from Poland’s Ministry of Defense Armaments Agency. The contract with Mildat was finalized on August 14, 2025, with deliveries scheduled for completion throughout 2026, ensuring timely availability of ammunition for operational requirements.

The ammunition contract carries a total value of approximately PLN 18 million (€4.2 million), representing a significant investment in enhancing FA-50 operational capabilities. This financial commitment demonstrates Poland’s dedication to maximizing the effectiveness of its South Korean fighter aircraft while addressing longstanding armament compatibility challenges that have limited aircraft utilization.

This successful procurement represents the third attempt to secure FA-50 cannon ammunition, with previous procedures in March 2023 and April 2024 being invalidated due to insufficient eligible applications. The persistence in pursuing this capability demonstrates the Polish military’s recognition of the importance of fully operational fighter aircraft with complete weapons systems integration.

Poland’s existing F-16 fleet utilizes M61 Vulcan 20×102mm cannons with ammunition produced by Polish company Mesko under license from Norwegian firm Nammo. However, this ammunition is not certified for the M197 guns installed on FA-50 aircraft, necessitating separate procurement procedures and highlighting the complexity of international fighter aircraft integration challenges.

The ammunition procurement addresses only one aspect of broader armament challenges affecting Polish FA-50 operations. Deputy Defense Minister Cesary Tomczyk has criticized the FA-50 acquisition process, particularly regarding armament limitations that prevent the aircraft from using modern AIM-9X missiles currently employed by Poland’s F-16 and F-35 fleets.

FA-50GF aircraft currently can only utilize older AIM-9L, M, and P missile versions, limiting their combat effectiveness compared to more advanced fighters in Polish inventory. The Ministry of Defense identified an AIM-9L missile supplier in late June 2025, though aircraft continue operating with leased AIM-9P missiles until permanent solutions are implemented.

Poland operates a mixed FA-50 fleet consisting of 12 FA-50GF interim aircraft delivered in late 2023, plus 36 FA-50PL advanced variants with deliveries beginning in 2025 and completing by end of 2028. The total acquisition cost reached approximately $705 million for FA-50GF aircraft and $2.3 billion for the more advanced FA-50PL variants.

The FA-50GF serves as an interim platform designed for eventual upgrade to the more capable PL version, providing enhanced capabilities and expanded weapons integration options. This upgrade pathway ensures long-term operational relevance while maximizing initial investment value through progressive capability enhancement programs.

Integration of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air medium-range missiles into FA-50PL variants remains a significant challenge, as funding for this integration was not included in the original purchase agreement. US approval requirements and ongoing feasibility studies are expected to require 3-4 years for completion, potentially limiting near-term operational capabilities.

The successful ammunition procurement demonstrates effective international defense industry cooperation, with Turkish, Polish, and South Korean companies collaborating to address complex military requirements. These partnerships highlight the importance of flexible supply chains and diverse supplier relationships in modern defense procurement strategies.

Don’t miss this: Rheinmetall Buys German Shipbuilder For Naval Powerhouse

With cannon ammunition finally available, Polish FA-50 aircraft can achieve full operational readiness for the first time since delivery. This capability enhancement significantly improves aircraft effectiveness in various mission profiles, from air-to-air combat scenarios to ground attack missions requiring precision cannon fire support.

The Poland FA-50 ammunition procurement represents a crucial step toward full operational capability for Poland’s newest fighter aircraft. While broader armament integration challenges persist, this successful ammunition deal demonstrates Poland’s commitment to maximizing FA-50 effectiveness while building stronger international defense partnerships. The resolution of cannon ammunition shortages enables immediate operational improvements while setting the foundation for future capability enhancements across the expanding FA-50 fleet.

Keep connected with us at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok for latest defense happening around the globe.