Poland was awarding a major order for new fighter jets Friday to modernize its air force to NATO standards, with a U.S. bid for F-16s worth some US$3.5 billion widely favored.

Lockheed-Martin, the F-16's maker, has offered to supply 48 of the planes, weapons, pilot training and extra deals estimated at up to US$5.5 billion in its effort to defeat rival bids by two European makers.

Poland's Defense Ministry was expected to announce the winner at a news conference later Friday. But the chairman of France's Dassault Aviation, whose Mirage 2000 was also in the running, already said Poland "went with the Americans."

"The political element was the chief element, well beyond the quality or the price," Charles Edelstenne told French radio station France-Info on Thursday.

The F-16 was tipped as the favorite since it is widely used by NATO nations and Poles view the United States as their chief ally. The Gripen jet, made by Sweden's Saab and Britain's BAE Systems, was considered the F-16's chief rival - in part because it is cheaper, a considerable difference for Poland's strapped budget.

A 23-member Polish government commission reviewed the bids since Nov. 13, weighing price, aircraft features, financial terms and offers of contracts to Polish suppliers. (civilian and military) Washington has padded Lockheed Martin's F-16 bid with the offer of a US$3.8 billion loan to Poland with a repayment term of up to 15 years, approved by the U.S. Congress in October. U.S. officials have argued their financial plan is flexible and will depend on Poland's payment ability.

Offering the most advanced fighter is also seen as U.S. recognition for Poland's role in eastern Europe, and choosing the F-16 could also give Polish Air Force a strong position among the NATO allies.

Poland needs 48 fighter jets by 2008 to replace its Soviet-built MiGs and bring the country's military up to NATO standards. The first 16 planes are to arrive in 2006, the remaining 32 within the next two years.

Poland is the largest of the three former Soviet bloc countries that joined NATO in 1999. The other two countries, Hungary and the Czech Republic, opted for Gripens, but the Czechs canceled their order to free up reconstruction aid after devastating floods hit the capital Prague last summer.

With acknowledgement to Sapa-AP and BC-Poland-LD-Arms Warshaw.