Poland and GE Aerospace have agreed to establish depot-level maintenance support for the F404-GE-102 engines that power the Polish Air Force’s KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle light supersonic combat aircraft.
The initiative will establish comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the engines in cooperation with Poland’s state-owned aerospace company Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 (WZL-2).
The partnership is intended to support Poland’s continued expansion of its FA-50 fleet, which is expected to reach 48 aircraft by early 2029. So far, 12 aircraft have been delivered under the program.
WZL-2 CEO Jakub Gazda said the cooperation would strengthen Poland’s efforts to achieve greater operational independence as its defense requirements continue to evolve.
Strengthening Poland’s Aerospace Industry
GE Aerospace said the agreement also expands its longstanding presence in Poland and builds on more than three decades of activity in Europe. The company currently employs approximately 2,300 specialists across five sites in Poland.
The establishment of local depot-level engine support is expected to improve maintenance availability and strengthen Poland’s ability to sustain its FA-50 fleet domestically.
F404-GE-102 Engine
The F404-GE-102 engine enables the FA-50 to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.5, equivalent to approximately 1,851 kilometers per hour, and operate at altitudes of up to 48,000 feet (14,630 meters). The aircraft has an operational range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles.
GE Aerospace stated that more than 4,000 engines from the F404 family have been delivered to customers worldwide since the engine entered service. The global F404 fleet has accumulated more than 13 million flight hours.
Approximately 300 F404 engines are currently installed across the FA-50 and its related T-50 and TA-50 aircraft variants, supporting the growing international fleet of the Korean-developed light combat aircraft.
