Lockheed-Martin gives presentation in effort to win air force contract

With the competition to supply the Polish air force with multi-functional aircraft entering its final stage, representatives of the American bidder yesterday presented the Sejm National Defense Committee with their offer. In a deal that would eventually see Poland's aircraft plants gain full F-16 repair and maintenance rights, William Perkins, director of Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics, said the Bydgoszcz Military Aviation Plant No.2 would be given the contract for the repair and maintenance of the first 16 used aircraft. The remaining 44 new, leased F-16 CD aircraft would be assembled at the Polish Aircraft Plant in Mielec, where they would also undergo ground testing. The contract to supply the aircraft is expected to be worth between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 2; Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) M.T.K.