Undoubtedly, Bydgoszcz is among the leading defense centers in Poland. Our assets include, among others, the Kazimierz Wielki Pomorska Logistic Brigade, “Black Spiders” – the Central Psychological Operations Group named after King Stefan Batory, the NATO Joint Forces Training Center, and the Military Aviation Works No. 2. The latter designates us for global supremacy in servicing F16 combat aircraft.
Last year, the Military Aviation Works No. 2 achieved a great success. A success that the company has worked for over the years. It became the service center for multi-role F16 fighter jets. The first US Air Force F16 was symbolically handed over to us by Mark Brzezinski, the US Ambassador to Poland. This means that we will be the service center for aircraft for most of America’s allies in Europe.
First in servicing machines of the Polish Armed Forces
Bydgoszcz specialists have worked long and painstakingly to achieve their current worldwide prestige. Going back to history – the airport in Błonie, where the Military Aviation Works No. 2 operates now, was regained by Poland in 1920 under the Treaty of Versailles. However, its modern history began shortly after World War II, when the 817th Mobile Field Workshop arrived in the city. Initially, they were called the 3rd Aviation Workshops, then Aviation Workshops No. 1, and after 1957, Aviation Repair Works No. 2. It was during this time that the first jet aircraft – MiG-15, Lim-2, MiG-17, and their development versions – were repaired. The groundbreaking period was the 1980s. That’s when the works acquired their current name. They also were involved in the repair of TS-11 Iskra and SU-22 aircraft. In 2004, decommissioned MiG-22 planes from Germany arrived, and in 2008, the Ministry of National Defense commercialized the company, which then adopted the name Military Aviation Works No. 2 SA and took over the technical maintenance of the aircraft of the Polish Air Force. They were also able to repair civilian aircraft such as the PZL-101 Gawron, PZL-110 Koliber, and PZL-104 Wilga. Machines such as MiG-15 and MiG-17 from Syria, Egypt, Su-22 from West Germany, and Indian Iskras also found their way to the hangars.
Continuous investments
In 2016, a new hangar with an area of 7.8 thousand square meters was put into use. This meant the ability to service large transport and passenger aircraft – mainly the five C-130E Hercules transport planes stationed in Powidz. In the paint shop, aircraft with dimensions even up to Boeing 767-300 can be painted, apart from Hercules. The largest aircraft painted in Bydgoszcz is considered to be the Saab 350. The hangar cost 60 million PLN and was awarded the title “Construction for the Medal of Pomerania and Kuyavia”.
In November 2018, another hangar was built. The warehouse-garage building with an area of nearly 4.4 thousand square meters stores airport equipment intended for airport vehicles, firefighting services, as well as towing and power supply vehicles, including transport washers.
On October 30, 2019, the Military Aviation Works No. 4 in Warsaw were taken over. The company in Bydgoszcz gained an additional 117.5 million PLN nominally and the deal was worth 240.5 million PLN.
Unmanned take-off setback
The works are the main supporting and securing partner for the operation of aircraft of the Polish Air Force, including Su-22, MiG-29, C-130, and F-16. In 2016, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Competency Center was established in WZL No. 2 as part of the Polish Armaments Group. It was supposed to deal with design work and production of drones. Although in November 2018, an agreement was signed between the Inspectorate of Armament of the Ministry of National Defense and a consortium of companies with the participation of WZL No. 2 and PIT-Radwar S.A. for the supply of twelve Orlik drones, which could perform operations over extensive areas and in various climate conditions, production has not been started yet.
From Utah to Bydgoszcz
A great success for WZL No. 2 was the signing, at the end of 2021, of a contract within the Polish-American-Dutch consortium with AAR Government Services from Clearfield and Droogdokkeneiland (Daedalus Aviation Group) from Tilburg for the general overhaul of F-16C/D fighter jets owned by the USAF stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, until 2032. At the same time, the Minister of National Defense also approved an agreement for the delivery of 25 sets of unmanned aerial systems, along with a logistical and training package (codenamed “Wizjer”).
Wide competences
To showcase the power and versatility of WZL No. 2, it is worth describing the systematically modernized equipment of the mechanical department of the works. They currently have, among others, furnaces for processing aluminum alloys and for vacuum hardening and neutral gases. In addition, they have their own research and development department responsible for developing and implementing new technologies and electronic systems. These broad competences allow them to provide services for both military and civil aviation. WZL No. 2 is involved in hangar and line maintenance of aircraft such as Cirrus SR20 and SR22, Cessna 150, 152, 172 and 182, Piper PA-34-200 Seneca, PA-34-220T, PZL-104 Wilga 35 and 80, PZL-110 Koliber and Koliber 150, and Antonov An-2. They are the only authorized service center for Cirrus aircraft.
They will service up to 1000 NATO aircraft
Returning to the handing over of the combat F16 by Mark Brzezinski – the aircraft will undergo a procedure in Bydgoszcz to extend its technical lifespan. These confirm the efficiency of all components that allow the aircraft to be operationally ready for the following years. The Bydgoszcz company is already preparing to accept more