Poland welcomes first US-made F-35 stealth fighters into armed forces
The Polish Armed Forces officially inducted its first American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets into active service on Friday, marking a historic milestone in Poland's military modernisation and cementing its leadership on NATO’s eastern flank.
The ceremony took place at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Lask, central Poland, which will serve as the permanent home for the new fleet. The aircraft have been officially named 'Husarz' (Hussar), paying tribute to Poland's historic cavalry.
The initial three multi-role fighter jets, which landed at the Lask base on May 22, marked the event with a 'Welcome to Poland' ceremonial flyover, soaring over historic sites including Westerplatte, Warsaw, and the Wawel Hill in Krakow.
The induction ceremony was attended by President Karol Nawrocki, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose, and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno.
The fifth-generation aircraft were ceremonially christened by Paulina Kosiniak-Kamysz, wife of the defence minister, and Captain Magdalena Boryc-Krakowian. Captain Boryc-Krakowian is the widow of Lieutenant Colonel Maciej Krakowian, a renowned 35-year-old F-16 Tiger Demo Team pilot who tragically lost his life during a training flight for the Radom Air Show 2025.
President Karol Nawrocki hailed the event as a monumental technological shift, saying that Poland has not possessed this level of military readiness since the fall of communism in 1989.
"Before our eyes, a modern, breakthrough leap is taking place for the Polish Army," Nawrocki said. "Because of these aircraft, the Republic of Poland is and will be stronger, mightier, and safer in the coming years."
Nawrocki said that the F-35 is a machine that "will guarantee the Polish Armed Forces' ability to operate across multiple domains while bringing security to Polish women and men." He added that "thanks to their stealth capabilities, the Polish Air Force and the Polish Armed Forces will be able to plan long-range, precision actions, which creates unique operational opportunities for our military."
He also thanked the United States for sharing its cutting-edge engineering. "I will have the opportunity to thank US President Donald Trump personally," Nawrocki said. "But today, I thank the United States for being a ready ally, willing to share its technology and engineering achievements with the Republic of Poland."
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the F-35s are part of a broader, interconnected defence strategy. Poland signed a contract in 2024 to acquire 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, which are designed to network seamlessly with the fifth-generation stealth jets.
"The Apache helicopters, in connection with the F-35s, constitute our defence potential, and today they already represent a massive task: deterring our enemies," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "The philosophy of a modern army is a combination of different types of equipment; it is a system of connected vessels."
He announced that while three aircraft are currently stationed on Polish soil, more are entering service at training sites in the US. "In the coming months, another 11 machines will be delivered to the Lask base, and next year 12 more are scheduled to arrive. In this way, we will reach 32 F-35 aircraft in the Air Force," he said.
He also spoke about long-term ambitions to double this fleet. "We must fulfill the task so that we not only have the 32 F-35s that we joyfully accept into Polish service today, but an additional two squadrons - another 32 fifth-generation aircraft," Kosiniak-Kamysz announced, adding that these assets are firmly integrated into Poland's Armed Forces Development Programme.
"Poland is today the unquestioned leader in building the security architecture in Europe," Kosiniak-Kamysz argued. "It is the leader of NATO's eastern flank and the European Union's eastern border, which, thanks to our actions, is the best-guarded in history."
American officials at the ceremony said that Poland has become a benchmark ally for Washington. US Under Secretary Thomas DiNanno spoke about the multi-billion dollar financial backing supporting the partnership, noting that the United States is providing USD 4 billion for military cooperation with Poland. He said that this funding underscores the American commitment to Polish security and demonstrates that Poland is a priority ally. He added that the financial programme transforms commitment into concrete capabilities, describing it as NATO 3.0 in actual operation.
DiNanno described the F-35 as a technological marvel, an engineering miracle, a flying supercomputer, and a multidimensional platform capable of targeting threats far beyond visual range. He added that the aircraft most importantly serves as a deterrent to any adversary with hostile intentions and that possessing the machine proves that Poland and the United States are prepared to defend every single inch of NATO territory.
US Ambassador Tom Rose echoed these sentiments on X, writing that "Today marks another historic chapter in the extraordinary history of the Polish Air Force." He praised the legacy of Polish aviation, saying "From the legendary Polish pilots who fought for freedom in the skies over Europe to the world-class airmen serving today, Poland has built a tradition of courage, excellence, and leadership throughout NATO." He credited US President Donald Trump, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, and defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin for making the milestone possible. (PAP)
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