In the American Lockheed Martin plant the hull is built until the next 17th F-35 aircraft ordered by Poland – the General Staff of the Polish Army reported. According to the contract signed with the US in the coming years, the Polish air force will increase by 32 specified machines.
– At the minute erstwhile we celebrate the centenary of the School of Orląt in Poland, in the United States the production of the F-35 full designed for Poland began, from the very foundation to the finale, which will be in Italy. On this equipment will fly those who attended the solemn collection today, remembering the predecessors, distinguished airmen, about the excellent ground personnel who care about safety – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of National Defence during the solemn appeal on the occasion of the Military Academy Aviation Jubilee.
In Poland, work on the defence department ordered by the F-35 is followed with large interest. No wonder – the introduction of 5th generation fighters into service will let for the final closure of the process of transformation of Polish air force. “We will be able to quit all post-Soviet fighters,” he stressed last August Gen. Dyw. pil. Ireneusz NowakAir Force Inspector. Today, however, the General Staff of the Polish Army reported on page X that the front fuselage for device No. 17 is presently under construction in the American Lockheed Martin plant. After the work is completed, it will be sent to the FACO plant in Italy (Final Assembly and Check Out), where the aircraft will undergo the final assembly. The built copy in the close future is intended to power 21th Tactical Aviation Base in Swidwin.
The contract for the transportation of F-35 Lightning Polska machines was signed 5 years ago. It's about buying 32 planes. The contract besides includes the transportation of 1 spare engine, ground handling equipment, 8 mission simulators and training of 24 pilots and nearly 90 ground personnel. The Americans besides undertook to modernise the machines during their operation by the Polish military. The contract value is $4.6 billion.
The first F-35 will land in Poland next year. Deliveries should end after six years. The machines will be stationed in Swidwin and Grace. Today, the bases are undergoing major modernisation. In the first one, e.g. the runway is upgraded, fresh hangars and a protected region are created, where pilots will prepare for the mission. “In total, we conduct about 30 different types of investments,” said Colonel Roman Stefaniak, the commander of the base. Work should be finished this year. There is besides modernization of the base in Grace at the finish.
Meanwhile, in August 2024 First Polish F-35 was publically presented during a ceremony attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the military and journalists. It was held at the Texas Fort Worth. In December, the device scored Test flight. In May of that year, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish reported on X that the ocean ended training of first Polish pilots F-35. The fighters, which will shortly appear on the Vistula River, will be called Husarz.
