Concerns Over F-35 Hangar Construction Materials in Poland

Concerns have been raised regarding the construction of hangars intended to house Poland's future F-35 fighter jets at the air base in Łask. The issue surfaced following a complaint filed in December 2024 by Owens Corning Foamglas (OCF), the manufacturer of foamed glass, which was the originally specified material for the hangar foundations.

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The company indicated 'the risk of malfunctions resulting from material deformation, its absorbency, and changes in technical parameters during operation'.

OCF's complaint highlighted that extruded polystyrene (XPS) was used instead of foamed glass during the construction. The company warned of significant risks associated with XPS, including material deformation, moisture absorption, and potential damage to the highly valuable F-35 aircraft, each costing approximately 335 million Polish złoty. OCF pointed out that XPS's susceptibility to moisture and deformation could lead to cracking of floors and surfaces, potentially compromising the stability of the parked jets and causing corrosion to their sensitive electronics and airframes. They also flagged increased fire risk.

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In contrast to foamed glass, XPS boards exhibit susceptibility to moisture absorption and are prone to deformation, which can cause cracking of floors and driving surfaces.

Further complicating matters, OCF suggested that the cheaper XPS material was ordered before a formal project change, hinting at potential violations of construction law and possible harm to the State Treasury's interests. The complaint was directed to various authorities, including the Ministry of National Defence, the Air Force Inspectorate, and the US Embassy in Warsaw. Despite these serious allegations, the military prosecutor's office has reportedly refused to launch an investigation, leaving the matter unresolved and raising questions about accountability and the thoroughness of oversight in this critical defense infrastructure project.

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Low creep resistance and dynamic load capacity can lead to loss of load-bearing capacity, endangering the stability of stationed fighter jets. Moisture penetration through the floor can cause corrosion of the F-35's skin and electronics, whose value is estimated at PLN 335 million per unit.