A Case Study on the Determinants of Fighter Aircraft Acquisition in Eastern Europe: An Extended Analysis of IT-Based Interoperability

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of fighter aircraft acquisition in Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on IT-based interoperability. Russia’s military expansion and the war in Ukraine have accelerated modernization and pushed states to replace aging Soviet-made platforms with NATO-standard aircraft. By analyzing six cases Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia the research identifies five categories shaping procurement: security environment, alliance and diplomacy, fiscal and procurement conditions, operational-technical factors, and IT-based interoperability. The findings show that acquisition decisions are shaped not only by performance or cost but by the interplay of urgent security needs, alliance commitments, budgetary constraints, delivery schedules, and NATO system compatibility. Poland’s combined purchase of F-35s and FA-50s demonstrates how advanced capability and rapid delivery can be balanced, while Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia illustrate different strategies for managing fiscal limits and operational gaps. Serbia’s Rafale purchase highlights the use of acquisition as a diplomatic signal. The study expands defense procurement research by highlighting IT-based interoperability such as tactical data link integration as a critical determinant, and offers implications for South Korea’s defense exports. The FA-50’s strengths in timely delivery, cost-effectiveness, and NATO interoperability are identified as key competitive advantages in the European market.