The Polish Armed Forces have officially inducted F-35 fighter jets, procured from the United States, during a ceremony held at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask. This event marks a significant enhancement of Poland’s military capabilities.
On Friday, Polish F-35 pilots conducted ceremonial flights over major cities, including Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Kraków, as part of an initiative dubbed “Greetings from Poland.” The aircraft flew over the historic Westerplatte Peninsula, followed by a route along the Vistula River in Warsaw, culminating in a flyover near Wawel Hill in Kraków.
The ceremony featured notable attendees, including Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Additionally, Thomas DiNanno, the U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, was present to witness the event.
Poland placed an order for 32 multi-role F-35 aircraft from the American defense contractor Lockheed Martin in 2020. These modern jets are becoming increasingly prevalent among NATO member states, reflecting a shift towards advanced military technology.
The first batch of three F-35s was delivered to Poland on May 22, 2026. These jets will be stationed at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask, which currently hosts some Polish F-16s. Future deployments are planned for the 21st Tactical Air Base in Świdwin, where recently retired Soviet-era Su-22s were previously based.
In a related development, in March, the Polish company Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for the maintenance of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in Poland, further solidifying the defense partnership between the two nations.
Poland has officially integrated F-35 fighter jets into its military, enhancing its defense capabilities amid a broader NATO trend towards advanced military technology. The ceremonial flights over major cities highlighted this significant milestone, attended by key political figures and U.S. officials.
Source: Європейська правда