On Wednesday, Polish defense leaders saw the country’s first F-35A combat jet at Lockheed Martin’s site in Fort Worth, Texas. Warsaw ordered 32 F-35 planes in a $4.6 billion deal over four years ago, part of a modernization program against Russian aggression. The delegation was led by Polish deputy ministers Paweł Bejda and Cezary Tomczyk. The first F-35s will arrive in Poland in 2026, expanding the Air Force’s modern capabilities alongside existing jets. Lockheed Martin is aiming for an additional batch of 32 fighters from Poland. The Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing’s F-15EX are also being considered for future acquisition.
The previous government favored U.S. aircraft types, but a new centrist coalition seeks stronger European defense ties. Prime Minister Donald Tusk is involved in Europe-focused military projects, including a pan-European main battle tank program. OBRUM, a PGZ offshoot, has joined the “game for the European tank of the future.” Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.
