Combat Aircraft visits the last Su-22 ‘Fitter’ base in Europe — the Polish Air Force’s 21. BLT at
Swidwin, as well as going on exercise and reporting on how the fleet is kept alive and kicking through the WZL-2 plant at Bydgoszcz.
THE FIRST OF 110 Sukhoi Su-22 ‘Fitters’ was delivered to Poland some three decades ago, and the aircraft have now been part of NATO planning for 20 years. Much speculation has surrounded the future of the type, which is operated on the Polish front line alongside two bases of MiG-29s and a batch of F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons. However, such is the ‘bang for the buck’ offered by the type that it was decided to extend its service life with a mid-life upgrade (MLU), undertaken by the WZL-2 plant at Bydgoszcz.
