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Poland plans to leave Soviet warplanes Su-22 in combat service

Su-22 (archive) ITAR-TASS/Marina Lystseva

Su-22 (archive)

© ITAR-TASS/Marina Lystseva

WARSAW, April 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Polish Defense Ministry decided to leave bomber-fighters Sukhoi Su-22 in combat service of the country’s Air Force for the next ten years, the country’s military agency said on Wednesday.

“The chosen variant is most optimal in terms of training pilots and funding,” the ministry noted, adding that “this envisages technical checks, required modifications and extension of service life of 18 warplanes for the next ten years. These warplanes include 12 one-seat warplanes Su-22M4 and six two-seat Su-22UM3K,” the ministry noted.

“Extension of technical service life for 18 warplanes will permit to train several tens of pilots who will be enrolled in other combat crews in the future. Warplanes will also be provided for training of operators of special task troops and servicemen of air defence forces relieving pilots of fighters F-16 from this task,” the Polish Defense Ministry added.

The country’s military agency has earlier considered possible refusal from warplanes Su-22 produced back in the Soviet times and currently in combat use in the country.

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