Poland: SiltaNews – News Desk
The then Polish government, led by the conservative Law and Justice party, signed a $4.6 billion (around €4 billion) contract to buy 32 American-made F-35 combat aircraft in 2020. This was the second-largest arms deal in Poland’s history, and included training and logistical support.
Seven of the Polish-owned F-35s have now been produced by Lockheed Martin, the primary contractor of the intergovernmental deal, but are so far only being used for the training of Polish pilots in America and will be transferred to Poland at a later date. Less than a year after the first flight of a Polish pilot in an F-35 in January 2025, two more Polish pilots have now completed their instructor training, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces announced on Wednesday.
“Two more Polish F-35s have taken to the skies!”, the account wrote on X. Two other Polish pilots are currently undergoing training, while another pair have begun the initial F-35 conversion course. This needs to be completed before they can undergo instructor training. F-35s are state-of-the-art fighter jets with stealth technology that makes them virtually invisible to enemy air defenses. This allows the aircraft to penetrate enemy airspace and gain air and ground superiority more readily.
The Polish version of the aircraft has been named the Hussar (‘Husarz’) in reference to Poland’s famous “Winged Hussar” cavalry units that were active from the 16th to 18th century. “The Hussars’ renowned speed, precision and tactical innovations on horseback enabled them to defend their homeland,” Lockheed said at the unveiling of the aircraft in August 2024.
“Polish warriors will soon employ those same qualities with a faster animal: the world’s most advanced stealth fighter jet,” Lockheed added. Four Polish Hussars are currently supporting pilot training at the US Air National Guard Base in Ebbing ANGB, Arkansas. Three more aircraft will join the base at the turn of November and December, followed by an eighth aircraft in February 2026.
The first Hussars will therefore only arrive in Poland at the turn of May and June next year, when 14 of the jets are scheduled to be delivered. These will be stationed at the Łask base in central Poland, and the Świdwin base in northern Poland. The remaining 10 aircraft purchased under the 2020 deal will be delivered between 2027 and 2029. The eight aircraft currently being used for training will also be transferred to Poland when training ends in late 2027.