Russia Would Freak: The F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Could End Up On Its Border

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Key Points: Poland is considering acquiring the advanced F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet to bolster its defenses amid increasing tensions with Russia.

-The aircraft was spotlighted at the recent MSPO defense expo in Poland, where engine makers Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace pitched their offerings for potential Polish F-15EX orders.

-While the F-15EX offers unmatched multi-role capabilities and NATO compatibility, the deal is far from finalized as Poland also evaluates alternatives like the Eurofighter Typhoon.

-With American defense contractors eager for sales and regional security concerns mounting, a decision on the F-15EX could significantly alter Europe’s defense dynamics and provoke Russian ire.

Poland Eyes F-15EX as an Import to Thwart Russia

Poland’s beef with Russia goes way back, and the Poles are always looking to improve their military, especially since Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine. Now that the F-15EX Eagle II is making its way to U.S. Air National Guard units in America, the Poles have a new item on their wish list.

The F-15EX would be an excellent addition to the Polish fighter fleet. However, there has been no final decision or timeline for the acquisition, and the Poles have been pining after the Eagle II for over a year.

Defense Expo in Poland Has Defense Sales Forces Buzzing

There has been one new development. On September 4, people flocked to this year’s MSPO defense cooperation conference and exhibition in Kielce, Poland, to get a taste of the products of significant defense contractors worldwide.

Last year’s MSPO saw Boeing making a pitch to the Polish government for the F-15EX. The Poles were intrigued.

Engine Makers Are Competing for Polish Attention

Now, F-15EX subcontractors are getting in on the action. I’m talking about Pratt & Whitney and General Electric vying to be the engine supplier to any F-15EX sold to Poland. Pratt & Whitney’s F100 engine is one choice to power the Eagle II and GE Aerospace’s F110-GE-129 engine is the other.

Pratt & Whitney is a subsidiary of RTX (formerly Raytheon). The defense behemoth has a significant presence in Poland which could give it the upper hand in the competition for Warsaw’s money. The company has operated in Poland for 48 years and has 6,200 employees.

Pratt & Whitney’s F100 engines that power Poland’s F-16s are also made in the country.

Will the F-15EX Swap Out GE Engines for Pratt & Whitney?

However, the F-15EX has already made its first flight with GE engines. Pratt & Whitney does not think this is a problem.

Josh Goodman, senior program director for the F100 program at Pratt & Whitney, told journalists at MSPO in Poland that the F100 is a viable option for the F-15EX. Goodman said while the F100 is not currently certified for the F-15EX, it would “not need to go through the whole process of integration and certification” should it be chosen. “There is a very limited, low risk integration and certification scope that the engine would have to go through in conjunction with the airframe in order to properly certify for use on the F-15EX airframe,” he said.

Not So Fast on the F-15EX

That’s all well and good, but there is yet to be an official transfer of the F-15EX to Poland. Boeing would love it, but the U.S. government may not be ready to send such an advanced fighter to a NATO ally that lives on the border with Russia. Putin would see it as a major provocative and audacious move.

Poland is also looking at the Eurofighter Typhoon for purchase. So, for Pratt & Whitney to have its way with their engines, the stars would have to align.

Eagle II Flies High

But the F-15EX would be a great choice for Poland. It is an all-weather multi-role strike fighter. It has a large payload, excellent range, and impressive speed. The latest radars and sensors give it enviable situational awareness. It works great as a stand-off missile launch platform, but it can also give adversaries nightmares in dogfights.

The F-15EX would fit in better with NATO, too, since the original F-15 airframe has been flying since the 1970s.

Let’s Wait and See

It may be premature for Pratt & Whitney to try and become the engine supplier if Poland buys the F-15EX, but give it credit for trying. Today’s threat environment in Europe is dangerous and NATO countries are scrambling to get a leg up on the Russians. American defense contractors aim to gain more sales and market share as a result.

The F-15EX is a stellar fighter and would look good flying under Polish colors. We will see if Boeing can convince the Poles that this airplane is a winner and whether GE or Pratt & Whitney provide the engines. Either way, Putin would have a fit if the Eagle II makes its way to Warsaw.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.