Polish Air Force: Su-22 Farewell

On September 10th, a farewell ceremony was held for the legendary Su-22.”at Mirosławiec Air Base in Poland.

Report and photos by Peter van den Berg

October 5, 2025

The last of the iconic Su-22 Fitter strike aircraft in Europe have officially been retired from active service. Once a cornerstone of Warsaw Pact airpower across the continent, the Su-22 played a vital role in offensive operations. The final aircraft were operated by the Polish Air Force, which had been flying these impressive jets since the first example was delivered more than 40 years ago.

The Polish Air Force held a media event on September 10th to mark the retirement of the Su-22. As part of the farewell ceremony, three Su-22UM3K Fitters performed a formation flight over several bases where the aircraft had previously been stationed. Meanwhile, at Miroslawiec Air Base, single-seat Su-22M4 aircraft were displayed with full combat armament, showcasing their operational capabilities one last time. A highlight of the event was a separate sortie by a Su-22M4 equipped with a KKR-1 pod, used for electronic intelligence (ELINT) and photo reconnaissance missions. On September 11, the farewell ceremony was held for the Air Force and invited guests.

Colonel Roman Stefaniak:

“It teaches humility, because it is difficult to fly. There is no computer, so navigation and many other tasks are the pilot’s responsibility. But that’s what makes it so rewarding—you really feel the aircraft.”

The Su-22 holds a unique place in Polish aviation history as the largest fighter jet ever operated by the Polish Air Force. With a fuselage stretching 19 meters and a wingspan of 13.68 meters when fully extended. With a top speed of Mach 1.77, the aircraft had a range of 1450 mile and could reach an altitude of 46500 ft.

Between 1984 and 1988, Poland received 110 Su-22s—comprising 90 single-seat Su-22M4s and 20 two-seat Su-22UM3Ks. The first aircraft arrived in August 1984, with deliveries of the UM3K variant completed by early 1986. Six of the UM3Ks were later selected for a Service Life Extension Program, underscoring their continued operational value.

The Su-22s were deployed across four tactical bomber regiments located in Piła, Powidz, Mirosławiec, and Świdwin. By the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the Su-22 was also in service with several other Warsaw Pact nations, including Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and Hungary. In the Soviet Union, the aircraft was known under its original: Su-17.

Now, after more than four decades of service, the Polish Air Force has officially retired the last of its Su-22s, closing a significant chapter in European military aviation.

Cold War Workhorse: The Su-22’s Rugged Legacy

Powered by a single turbojet engine, the Su-22 could reach a top speed of Mach 1.77, making it a formidable strike aircraft that perfectly embodied Soviet Cold War doctrine. Though derived from the earlier Su-7 Fitter ground-attack aircraft, the Su-22 introduced a variable-geometry wing design—specifically, a swing-wing configuration where only the outer wing panels pivoted. This simplified approach offered a durable and effective solution to the aerodynamic challenges of multi-role performance.

The aircraft was equipped with ten external hardpoints capable of carrying a wide range of ordnance, including tactical nuclear gravity bombs. During the Cold War, Polish Su-22s would have been supplied with Soviet-owned nuclear weapons for use in wartime scenarios.

Designed for ease of maintenance and reliable operation under austere conditions, the Su-22 required minimal technical support—an essential feature for frontline deployment. These qualities contributed to its remarkable longevity in Polish service, where it remained operational for over four decades.

After Poland joined NATO in 1999, the Polish Air Force chose to continue operating its fleet of Su-22s, implementing a series of modest upgrades to bring the aircraft closer to alliance standards. The Su-22 Fitters were equipped with NATO-compatible avionics and updated VHF/UHF communication systems to improve interoperability and mission effectiveness. In 2014, a Service Life Extension Program was launched for 18 aircraft, adding another decade of operational capability. All modernization work was carried out domestically at the Bydgoszcz facility, highlighting Poland’s ability to sustain legacy platforms independently. As part of the upgrade process, the aircraft also received a new paint scheme—replacing their traditional green-and-brown camouflage with a low-visibility two-tone gray livery.

In preparation for NATO integration, WZL-2 in Bydgoszcz initiated a limited, locally developed upgrade program for the Su-22 fleet between 1997 and 2002. The modernization effort included the installation of the Bendix-King KTU-709 TACAN receiver, a new digital control panel for the R-862 radio, and a Trimble 2101AP GPS system.

Due to differences in cockpit configurations, the DDT2101AP GPS display had to be mounted in various positions depending on the aircraft. For the two-seat Su-22UM3K variant, WZL-2 designed a GPS repeater specifically for the rear cockpit, ensuring both crew members had access to navigational data.

As part of continued modernization efforts, beginning in 2002, approximately 40 Su-22s received an additional upgrade with the installation of the ANV-241 MMR VOR/ILS navigation system. This enhancement can be visually identified by the two horizontal antennas mounted on the aircraft’s tail section.

Following this final round of upgrades, a total of 32 aircraft remained in active service between the late 2000s and 2015. At one point, the Polish Air Force had planned to retire its Su-22 fleet by 2016. However, the aircraft continued to serve well beyond that date, even after the introduction of the advanced F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters—among the most capable multirole jets in Europe.

As Poland became the last remaining Su-22 operator on the continent, sustaining the aging fleet grew increasingly challenging. With production long discontinued and spare parts becoming scarce, the aircraft were eventually consolidated at Mirosławiec Air Base in northwestern Poland, where they remained in service until their final retirement.

Although originally designed as a low-level strike aircraft with a secondary reconnaissance role, the Su-22’s mission profile evolved significantly during its final years in Polish service. Toward the end of its operational life, the aircraft was also employed in adversary training, flying as “Red Air” and launching aerial targets during joint air force and ground-based air defense exercises.

Despite its shift toward second-line duties, the Su-22 retained a combat role until retirement. Missions included anti-surface strikes over the Baltic Sea as part of national defense operations. Offensive counter-air tasks saw the aircraft supporting Polish Land Forces, Navy, and special operations units, as well as participating in multinational exercises with allied forces.

One operational limitation was the removal of expired Soviet-era guided air-to-ground missiles, which left the Su-22s armed primarily with unguided munitions—free-fall bombs, rockets, and internal cannon. For self-defense, the aircraft could still carry R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) air-to-air missiles mounted on specialized underwing pylons.

The transition to a new generation of aircraft marked the end of the Su-22’s long service in Poland. Its retirement was made possible by the arrival of the South Korean FA-50 light combat aircraft, acquired through a multi-million-dollar defense package. The first 12 FA-50GF jets were delivered between July and December 2023, with an additional 36 FA-50PL variants—featuring enhanced capabilities—currently on order.

At Mirosławiec Air Base, the departure of the Su-22s also signaled a shift in operational focus. The base is now being transformed into a tactical drone hub, hosting the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system, which is playing an increasingly important role in Polish air operations. These systems will be complemented by three MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, significantly expanding the Air Force’s surveillance and strike capabilities.

Meanwhile, in the realm of crewed combat aviation, Poland has donated 14 MiG-29s to Ukraine, with another 14 still operating from Malbork Air Base, where they are expected to remain in service until 2027. Additionally, a contract has been signed to upgrade the country’s 47 remaining F-16s to the advanced F-16V configuration, ensuring continued relevance and interoperability within NATO.

In 2020, Poland signed an agreement to purchase 32 F-35A fighter jets, with the first aircraft unveiled in 2024. The Polish F-35As have been nicknamed “Husarz,” a tribute to the country’s historic hussars.

With the retirement of the iconic Su-22 Fitter and the acquisition of the cutting-edge F-35, Poland is clearly signaling its commitment to a forward-looking, modern air force—one built on strength, tradition, and technological advancement.