The inclusion of Polish companies in the global supply chain of Lockheed Martin products and the creation of a training centre in Poland for F-35 service – this is only part of the proposals that the American arms company is sending to Polish partners. How to increase cooperation, Lockheed Martin representatives spoke during the global Defence manufacture Salon.
Specific plans and visions for the improvement of Lockheed Martin in the context of cooperation with the Polish defence manufacture and the Polish air force were presented at MSPO 2025 by Jonathon Linn, global Business improvement at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and Robert Orzowski, manager of Business improvement Lockheed Martin in Poland. Orzowski recalled that the American company has been present in our country for 3 decades, and the implementation of offset agreements concerning the F-16 program was the first chance for Lockheed Martin to build relations with Polish companies. present LM not only owns PZL Mielecbut cooperates with respective companies from the Polish Armed Forces Group on 24 projects.
Poland in the supply chain
– We build competence in those companies that are part of Lockheed Martin's global supply chain. But we are conducting talks with PGZ-et to build a solid origin of supply," said Orzowski. He besides informed that in the close future Military Electronic Plants in Zielonka and Military Aviation Plants No. 1 in Dęblin will double the production of components utilized in LM products.
Jonathon Linn added that PZL Mielec has any effect on the production of each F-16. Americans see in this company very large possible and improvement opportunities, which can translate into increased production and diversification of activities in Polish plants. It is possible that in Poland the production of a component mounted in F-35 fighters. “We are besides working on co-production, co-design of missiles or missiles. This is something we will do in Poland, with Polish companies, offering jobs for Poles – Linn announced in Kielce.
Another area where LM intends to cooperate with the Polish defence manufacture concerns the usage of AI and unmanned platforms. “We want to introduce to Poland CCA [Collaborative Combat Aircraft – ed.],” Linn said, referring to autonomous unmanned aircraft that can service as “wingers”, expanding situational awareness and overall combat effectiveness of manned platforms. – Representatives of the Polish government and military commanders have already participated in discussions on this subject. Now we are going to ask companies to sign the memorandum of knowing within 3–6 months," said Jonathon Linn.
Training centre for 5th generation fighters in Poland?
Jonathon Linn besides raised the issue of building Polish capabilities for the operation of F-35 fighters. In his opinion, a training centre (center of excellence) may be established in Poland, which will benefit not only Polish maintenance specialists. Countries with a tiny number of F-35 will be able to usage the services of the Polish centre alternatively of spending resources on training tools – as is the case at the U.S. Ebbing base, where in addition to Polish pilots, F-35 will shortly be trained by Finns, Germany or Singapore.
The concept of creating a training centre for F-35 service in Poland has not yet been presented to the Polish authorities. Lockheed Martin, however, sees large possible and possible for improvement for Poland in industrial and operational fields. Linn recalled that by 2035 there are 500 F-35 fighters on the Old Continent, of which 20% will be in the hands of users from central Europe, i.e. possible customers of the Polish training centre. A typical of Lockheed Martin reminded that there are presently 4 Polish F-35s in Ebbing, and deliveries to Poland of the first 5th generation fighters from Huszarz programme are scheduled for the second half of 2026. In the context of LM's presence in Europe, Linn besides announced his intention to return to talks with Croatia, which chose French Rafals alternatively of F-16. Hungary besides identified as a possible outlet for LM, which had already shown interest in acquiring F-35A fighters a fewer years ago.
