Poland to Replace Su-22 Bombers with UCAV

Poland is planning to replace its obsolete Soviet-built Sukhoi Su-22 strike aircraft with an unmanned strike aircraft (UCAV) system, Deputy Defense Minister Waldemar Skrzypczak told TVN24 television on Tuesday.

"We are looking at possibly swapping some of our Su-22 fleet for long-range pilotless systems with high strike capability," Skrzypczak said on the Poland and World program. Skrzypczak has responsibility for defense procurement.

Poland plans to buy around 30 UCAVs by 2018 to form three squadrons. Skrzypczak did not say who would supply them.

The Su-22, the export variant of the Soviet Union's Su-17M2, was first produced in 1976 and entered Polish service in the late 1970's.

Poland is also considering buying a multirole transport aircraft, he said, possibly from Israel, which has experience of converting civil airliners for military use.