Poland Expands F-35A Fighter Fleet as Two New Jets Undergo Flight Tests in United States
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Poland’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed that two additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Polish Air Force have now taken flight. The milestone marks visible progress in Poland’s effort to field a modern fifth-generation fleet aligned with NATO standards.
On October 31, 2025, Poland’s Ministry of National Defence announced that two more F-35A Lightning II fighters destined for the Polish Armed Forces have entered flight testing, representing a significant phase in the country’s modernization program. The ministry also noted that seven aircraft have now rolled out of Lockheed Martin’s assembly line, with pilot training and acquisition tracking according to plan. The expansion underscores Poland’s determination to build a robust, technologically advanced air defense force alongside key NATO allies.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A newly assembled Polish Air Force F-35A Lightning II conducts a test flight over Fort Worth, Texas, before joining the “Husarz” squadron under Poland’s fifth-generation fighter integration program. Seven Polish F-35s have now exited the Lockheed Martin production line, with training and delivery progressing on schedule. (Picture source: Polish MoD)
This latest update from Warsaw reaffirms Poland’s determined timeline to field all 32 F-35A stealth fighter jets as contracted under the historic January 2020 agreement signed with the United States. The Polish government’s confidence in meeting the planned milestones, despite the program’s complexity and Europe’s heightened security climate, underscores a serious commitment to achieving a next-generation air combat capability by the second half of this decade.
Lockheed Martin’s production schedule for the Polish F-35 fleet appears to be holding firm. Under the terms of the 2020 Foreign Military Sale, Poland is receiving the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) variant, with all deliveries expected to conclude by the end of 2030. While the aircraft referenced in the recent MoD update are not yet in Poland, they mark a visible step forward. Poland now possesses seven aircraft that have completed final assembly, and two more are entering flight testing in the United States as part of the international production and training framework.
According to Army Recognition sources familiar with the program, the jets currently in U.S. airspace are being used to train Polish aircrews and maintainers at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. The Polish MoD’s statement, emphasizing that the entire staff training and aircraft acquisition process is going as planned, confirms that both the operational and technical personnel pipeline is maturing in line with expectations. This aligns with recent disclosures about Polish pilots completing their first operational sorties in U.S.-based F-35s earlier this year.
Poland’s F-35 fleet will operate under the designation Husarz squadron, a symbolic nod to the country’s elite winged cavalry of the 17th century. Beyond symbolism, the squadron is expected to serve as the vanguard of Poland’s future air dominance strategy. Integration of the F-35 into the Polish Air Force offers a significant leap in capability over legacy platforms such as the MiG-29 and Su-22, both of which are rapidly approaching obsolescence amid emerging threats on NATO’s eastern flank.
What makes this announcement particularly significant is the quiet confirmation that Poland is moving from acquisition to early operational build-up. The mention of seven aircraft off the line reveals that Lockheed Martin is making substantial progress in fulfilling the production lot allocated to Warsaw. Sources within the Polish Air Force indicate that these jets will soon be used to prepare crews for the establishment of Poland’s first in-country F-35 unit, likely to be based at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Lask, which already hosts Poland’s F-16C/D fighters.
This acceleration also dovetails with a broader defense modernization initiative that includes multi-billion-dollar investments in air defense, unmanned systems, and long-range fires. Notably, the U.S. State Department previously approved a $1.85 billion FMS package covering F-35 sustainment, software support, and logistics tailored specifically for Poland. That deal is intended to ensure full lifecycle support and interoperability with NATO’s integrated air and missile defense systems.
Strategically, Poland’s F-35A acquisition sends a clear signal across Europe and beyond. As one of NATO’s front-line states, Warsaw is investing heavily in combat platforms that enhance its capacity for integrated air operations, deep strike, and electronic warfare. These missions will be crucial for deterring aggression along the Alliance’s eastern perimeter. With Sweden joining NATO and Finland now a full member, Poland’s growing F-35 fleet will likely serve as a connective tissue for regional joint air operations.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The timeline for reaching Initial Operational Capability depends not only on delivery but on the readiness of domestic infrastructure, weapons integration, and maintenance training. Army Recognition has learned from an anonymous logistics officer within the Polish Air Force that while the two newest jets have entered functional testing, their handover to Polish pilots is contingent on the full validation of logistical support chains. The officer noted, “Once the aircraft rolls out in Texas, we expect a Polish-crewed F-35 to join a U.S. training squadron within weeks. Transfer to Poland will follow as support and basing conditions are verified.”
Looking forward, the Polish government is expected to announce its first operational F-35A squadron in 2026. That squadron may assume a Quick Reaction Alert mission under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence system. Additional developments to watch include the certification of Polish F-35s for advanced weapons like the AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile and the eventual establishment of local sustainment hubs through PGZ and WZL, Poland’s defense industrial partners.
For Army Recognition readers, this milestone reflects more than a fleet update. It is a pivotal indicator of how NATO’s eastern flank is transforming into a fifth-generation operating environment. The convergence of stealth aircraft, precision munitions, advanced ISR, and digital command-and-control systems within the Polish defense structure marks a strategic shift in the region’s military balance. Poland is no longer simply a frontline recipient of NATO support. It is fast becoming one of the Alliance’s most capable and forward-leaning contributors in the air domain.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Poland’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed that two additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Polish Air Force have now taken flight. The milestone marks visible progress in Poland’s effort to field a modern fifth-generation fleet aligned with NATO standards.
On October 31, 2025, Poland’s Ministry of National Defence announced that two more F-35A Lightning II fighters destined for the Polish Armed Forces have entered flight testing, representing a significant phase in the country’s modernization program. The ministry also noted that seven aircraft have now rolled out of Lockheed Martin’s assembly line, with pilot training and acquisition tracking according to plan. The expansion underscores Poland’s determination to build a robust, technologically advanced air defense force alongside key NATO allies.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A newly assembled Polish Air Force F-35A Lightning II conducts a test flight over Fort Worth, Texas, before joining the “Husarz” squadron under Poland’s fifth-generation fighter integration program. Seven Polish F-35s have now exited the Lockheed Martin production line, with training and delivery progressing on schedule. (Picture source: Polish MoD)
This latest update from Warsaw reaffirms Poland’s determined timeline to field all 32 F-35A stealth fighter jets as contracted under the historic January 2020 agreement signed with the United States. The Polish government’s confidence in meeting the planned milestones, despite the program’s complexity and Europe’s heightened security climate, underscores a serious commitment to achieving a next-generation air combat capability by the second half of this decade.
Lockheed Martin’s production schedule for the Polish F-35 fleet appears to be holding firm. Under the terms of the 2020 Foreign Military Sale, Poland is receiving the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) variant, with all deliveries expected to conclude by the end of 2030. While the aircraft referenced in the recent MoD update are not yet in Poland, they mark a visible step forward. Poland now possesses seven aircraft that have completed final assembly, and two more are entering flight testing in the United States as part of the international production and training framework.
According to Army Recognition sources familiar with the program, the jets currently in U.S. airspace are being used to train Polish aircrews and maintainers at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. The Polish MoD’s statement, emphasizing that the entire staff training and aircraft acquisition process is going as planned, confirms that both the operational and technical personnel pipeline is maturing in line with expectations. This aligns with recent disclosures about Polish pilots completing their first operational sorties in U.S.-based F-35s earlier this year.
Poland’s F-35 fleet will operate under the designation Husarz squadron, a symbolic nod to the country’s elite winged cavalry of the 17th century. Beyond symbolism, the squadron is expected to serve as the vanguard of Poland’s future air dominance strategy. Integration of the F-35 into the Polish Air Force offers a significant leap in capability over legacy platforms such as the MiG-29 and Su-22, both of which are rapidly approaching obsolescence amid emerging threats on NATO’s eastern flank.
What makes this announcement particularly significant is the quiet confirmation that Poland is moving from acquisition to early operational build-up. The mention of seven aircraft off the line reveals that Lockheed Martin is making substantial progress in fulfilling the production lot allocated to Warsaw. Sources within the Polish Air Force indicate that these jets will soon be used to prepare crews for the establishment of Poland’s first in-country F-35 unit, likely to be based at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Lask, which already hosts Poland’s F-16C/D fighters.
This acceleration also dovetails with a broader defense modernization initiative that includes multi-billion-dollar investments in air defense, unmanned systems, and long-range fires. Notably, the U.S. State Department previously approved a $1.85 billion FMS package covering F-35 sustainment, software support, and logistics tailored specifically for Poland. That deal is intended to ensure full lifecycle support and interoperability with NATO’s integrated air and missile defense systems.
Strategically, Poland’s F-35A acquisition sends a clear signal across Europe and beyond. As one of NATO’s front-line states, Warsaw is investing heavily in combat platforms that enhance its capacity for integrated air operations, deep strike, and electronic warfare. These missions will be crucial for deterring aggression along the Alliance’s eastern perimeter. With Sweden joining NATO and Finland now a full member, Poland’s growing F-35 fleet will likely serve as a connective tissue for regional joint air operations.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The timeline for reaching Initial Operational Capability depends not only on delivery but on the readiness of domestic infrastructure, weapons integration, and maintenance training. Army Recognition has learned from an anonymous logistics officer within the Polish Air Force that while the two newest jets have entered functional testing, their handover to Polish pilots is contingent on the full validation of logistical support chains. The officer noted, “Once the aircraft rolls out in Texas, we expect a Polish-crewed F-35 to join a U.S. training squadron within weeks. Transfer to Poland will follow as support and basing conditions are verified.”
Looking forward, the Polish government is expected to announce its first operational F-35A squadron in 2026. That squadron may assume a Quick Reaction Alert mission under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence system. Additional developments to watch include the certification of Polish F-35s for advanced weapons like the AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile and the eventual establishment of local sustainment hubs through PGZ and WZL, Poland’s defense industrial partners.
For Army Recognition readers, this milestone reflects more than a fleet update. It is a pivotal indicator of how NATO’s eastern flank is transforming into a fifth-generation operating environment. The convergence of stealth aircraft, precision munitions, advanced ISR, and digital command-and-control systems within the Polish defense structure marks a strategic shift in the region’s military balance. Poland is no longer simply a frontline recipient of NATO support. It is fast becoming one of the Alliance’s most capable and forward-leaning contributors in the air domain.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
