A fighter plane Polish Air Force F-16 crashed during a rehearsal for the radius of the Radom in the center of Poland, leading to the death of the pilot. The Minister of Defense confirmed that a very experienced air posting driver died in the accident. The Radom air show scheduled for the weekend was canceled after the tragedy. The minister expressed condolences to the pilot’s family and praised his dedication and bravery. The Polish army has confirmed that no injury had occurred on the ground. The pilot was part of the Tiger Demo team, which was to occur at the event about 100 kilometers south of Warsaw.
Who was the pilot?
A declaration of the general command of the Polish armed forces identified the pilot as an Ace Flying Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian, according to a TVP World report. He was the leader of the posting team in the show. The reports indicate that in August, he received the trophy “ as the crow flies ” by aviation enthusiasts for the “best demonstration of global flight” at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025, the largest military air show in the world.
In a statement Thursday, the general command of the armed forces said that no passing had been injured. Local reports indicate that the pilot, which is part of an elite group of NATO air units known as “Demo Tiger”, was not seen ejecting the plane before the accident.
Hunting jets in Poland and F-16
Poland made its initial purchase of F-16 Fighter of American manufacturing in 2003 as part of a strategic effort to modernize its soldiers and align themselves more closely with NATO standards. The F-16, a multirol combat aircraft, is a vital component of NATO’s defense strategy because of its versatility, advanced plane and proven combat performance. Over the years, Poland has continued to invest in the upgrading of its F-16 fleet with the latest technologies, including improved radar systems, guided precision ammunition and improved communication capacities.
In the wake of the large -scale invasion of Ukraine Russia in 2023, Poland considerably increased its defense budget and accelerated military modernization. This includes not only improvements in its F-16 program, but also acquisitions of additional Western military equipment, such as abrams tanks from the United States and South Korea FA-50 jets. These efforts are part of Poland’s broader strategy to strengthen national defense, strengthen the oriental flank of NATO and dissuade potential threats into the region.
