Poland celebrated the in-country arrival of its first three F-35A Husarz aircraft, marking a major milestone in the modernization of the Polish Air Force and a key step in the country’s transition to 5th Generation AirPower. Poland has ordered 32 F-35s.
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The ceremony brought together senior Polish government and military leadership, U.S. and allied representatives, and industry partners to recognize the milestone and Poland’s growing role in allied defense cooperation.
“The arrival of the first F-35 combat aircraft in Poland represents an important milestone for the nation’s defense and for regional security across Europe,” said OJ Sanchez, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Poland continues to demonstrate strong leadership within NATO through its commitment to modernization and interoperability with allied forces. This milestone reinforces our enduring partnership, and we remain committed to standing alongside Polish forces as they expand and fully operationalize the F-35’s 5th Generation capability.”
The F-35 Husarz fleet will enhance Poland’s ability to operate seamlessly with allied forces while strengthening NATO’s defense posture on its eastern flank. With advanced sensor fusion, the aircraft enables integrated operations across all domains in contested environments.
Poland joins a growing group of European allies operating the F-35 from home soil, further expanding the aircraft’s presence across the continent as part of a broader shift toward integrated allied AirPower. Beyond its operational impact, the program continues to support industrial cooperation and high-tech manufacturing across Europe, including long-standing collaboration with Polish industry and suppliers.
The F-35 is the fighter of choice for 20 allied nations, with a global fleet of more than 1,330 aircraft. Approximately 25 percent of the aircraft’s production by value is sourced from European suppliers, supporting high-skilled jobs and strengthening the region’s defense industrial base.
Photos: Polish Ministry of Defence, Piotr Gubernatorial.
