- Yes
- No
The F-35A Lightning II was selected by Poland under the Harpia program, which aimed to replace aging Soviet-era aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-22. By the late 2010s, these aircraft were increasingly costly to maintain and limited in capability, prompting Poland to begin the process of acquiring a modern replacement.
The procurement process accelerated in 2019, when Poland formally requested the purchase of the F-35A (Block 4) through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. On 11 September 2019, the sale of 32 aircraft was approved by the U.S. government, clearing the way for negotiations.
The deal was finalised on 31 January 2020, when Poland signed a $4.6 billion contract for 32 F-35A aircraft. The agreement included a full training and logistics package, covering pilot instruction, maintenance personnel training, simulators, and support infrastructure.
Extended information on history
Production of Polish aircraft began in the early 2020s at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. The first aircraft, AZ-01, was rolled out on 28 August 2024, marking the first physical completion of a Polish F-35. Around this time, the aircraft received its official Polish nickname “Husarz,” referencing the historic Winged Hussars, this was decided through under a post on the official profile of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces on social media that remained online between April 12 and April 18, 2024.
On 2 December 2024, one of the first Polish F-35s carried out its maiden flight, entering the flight testing phase. Rather than being delivered immediately to Poland, the first batch of aircraft was assigned to the United States to support training.
Training operations began in 2024–2025 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, where Polish pilots and ground crews started conversion training. During this phase, several Polish aircraft remained stationed in the United States, forming a dedicated training detachment. The program included the training of dozens of pilots and technical personnel, ensuring readiness before the aircraft’s introduction into Poland.
According to the official delivery schedule, the first aircraft are expected to arrive in Poland in 2026, initially at Łask Air Base, which is being prepared to operate the new type. Early plans indicated deliveries beginning earlier in the year, though timelines have shifted slightly as the program progressed.
The delivery process will take place in stages. The first 3 aircraft arrived on the 23rd of May at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask. They will be followed by additional batches over the next several years, with the majority of deliveries expected between 2026 and 2028. During this period, aircraft used for training in the United States are also expected to be gradually transferred to Poland as the training phase concludes.
The full fleet of 32 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by 2029–2030, at which point PAF will have fully replaced the MiG-29. The introduction of the F-35 is therefore directly tied to the phased retirement of these older platforms, marking the end of their decades-long service in the Polish Air Force.
Specifications
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 15.67 meters
- Maximum takeoff weight: 30,886 kg
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney F135, 18 tons (≈40,000 lbs) of thrust
- Wingspan: 10.67 meters
- Top speed: Mach 1.6 (~1,960 km/h)
- Empty weight: 13,198 kg
- Internal Fuel: 18,250 lb (8,278 kg)
- Empty: 29,300 lb (19,659 kg)
- Max. Takeoff: 70,000 lb (31,751 kg)
- Max. Weapons Payload: 18,000 lb (8,165 kg)
- Total of 11 hardpoints (4 internal + 7 external)
- Ferry range: 2,200 km
Arnament
Air-to-air :
- 25mm GAU-22/A 4-barrel rotary cannon (182 rounds)
- AIM-9X Block II
- AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM
- AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM
- AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM
- AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM
Air to ground
- AGM-88G AARGM-ER
- GBU-39/B SDB
- GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb MK82
- GBU-38 JDAM 500lb MK82
- GBU-31 JDAM 2000lb MK84
- GBU-32 JDAM 1000lb MK83
- GBU-39/B SDB-I
- AGM-154 JSOW
- AGM-158A JASSM
- AGM-158B JASSM-ER
- AGM-88G AARGM-ER
Electronics and other
- AN/APG-81 radar
- AN/AAQ-40 Electro-Optical Targeting System
- AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System
- AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda
- AN/ASQ-242 CNI suite
- AN/AAS-37 warning system
- Drag Parachute
Sources
Kiedy F-35 przylecą do Polski?
Bat na rosyjskie samoloty. Superrakiety dla polskich F-35
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II - Wikipedia
https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/articles/tym-zyjemy-v/2020-02-031-f-35-dla-polski/
Prezentacja pierwszego polskiego samolotu F-35 - Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej - Portal Gov.pl
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