GE Aerospace and Poland’s Military Aviation Works (Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. or WZL-2) have formalized a new partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement, signed in Warsaw by executives from both companies, is focused on exploring the development of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the F110-GE-129 engine, which powers the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet.
The collaboration will center on assessing the specific requirements to establish intermediate and depot-level maintenance services in Poland. This includes evaluating needs for specialized tooling, machining, technical training, and potential modifications to existing test facilities to support the F110 engine.
Sean Keith, GE Aerospace’s F110 Product Director, emphasized the engine’s suitability for such local support. “The F110-GE-129 engine is designed for ease of maintenance with Shop Replacement Units (SRUs), which enable approximately 90% of maintenance to be performed in-country,” he stated. “This MOU with WZL-2 will allow us to identify opportunities to support Poland’s maintenance needs and strengthen local capabilities, ultimately aiming to reduce aircraft downtime and lower lifecycle costs.”
This agreement with WZL-2 represents the second recent strategic MOU in Poland for the F110 program. Last month, GE Aerospace signed a similar agreement with the Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw. That collaboration seeks to expand engine training and education for the F110 and explore the establishment of a joint Aircraft Engine Additive Manufacturing Laboratory.
The F110 engine, celebrating over 40 years of continuous production, is a cornerstone of allied air power. The -129 variant delivers 29,500 pounds of thrust and is the exclusive engine for the U.S. Air Force’s advanced F-15EX fleet. With over 11 million flight hours accrued, the engine family powers F-15 and F-16 fleets for the U.S. and 16 allied nations.
GE Aerospace’s commitment to Poland extends beyond these new defense initiatives, with a 30-year presence in the country. The company employs over 2,000 highly skilled personnel across six facilities and has invested approximately $700 million in the country since 1992, including a dedicated annual investment of around $50 million into local research and development projects. These latest MOUs reinforce GE Aerospace’s role as a long-term strategic partner in Poland’s growing defense and aerospace sector.
