Poland commissions advanced F-35 fighter jets

Poland has officially commissioned its first F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets, marking a significant advancement in its military capabilities. President Karol Nawrocki declared at a ceremony at the Lask airbase that these aircraft will make Poland safer and stronger in the coming years.

The multi-billion dollar purchase, which includes 32 F-35A units under a 2020 contract worth $4.6 billion, is expected to be delivered in stages until 2029. President Nawrocki and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted the deal as a testament to the close alliance between Poland and the United States, according to the Polish news agency PAP.

Shortly before the ceremony, the F-35 jets performed a low-altitude flyover, passing over Gdansk, Warsaw, and Lodz. Poland, situated on NATO and EU's eastern flank, feels particularly threatened by Russia. This perceived threat has driven Warsaw's extensive military procurement, including fighter jets and tanks, with the aim of establishing the largest conventional armed force within the EU.

Germany has also ordered 35 F-35 aircraft. Poland's military expansion also includes plans to acquire submarines from Sweden for its navy. The introduction of the F-35 jets represents a key component of Poland's strategy to bolster its defense capabilities in response to regional security concerns.