http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=artic... Poland to Buy Lockheed Jets
U.S.-Backed Loan Aided Decision
By Andrzej Stylinski
Associated Press
Saturday, December 28, 2002; Page E03
WARSAW, Dec. 27 -- Poland announced today that it has chosen Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighters to modernize its air force to NATO standards in an order worth about $3.5 billion.
Lockheed Martin Corp. beat out two rival European bids with a U.S. government-backed offer to supply 48 of the planes as well as weapons, pilot training and investment in Poland to help offset the cost of replacing Soviet-made fighters.
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Washington padded Lockheed Martin's F-16 bid with the offer of a $3.8 billion loan to Poland with repayment terms of up to 15 years. The U.S. Congress approved the loan in October.
U.S. officials have argued that their financial plan is flexible and will depend on Poland's payment ability. -snip-
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