Poland has taken delivery of the American F-35, one of the most advanced fighter jets in the Western arsenal. The country has received its first fifth-generation aircraft, ordered six years ago and locally designated as the Husarz.
According to reports from Polish official sources, three aircraft have been delivered. The handover took place at the 32nd Air Base in Lask. The country's Ministry of Defense strongly emphasized the importance of stealth technology.
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From Defense Express we would like to note that this marks a major step forward for Poland in modernizing its air force. Despite all the disputes with the Americans, the F-35 offers a wide range of capabilities that will enable Poland to better counter russian aviation.
Poland signed a contract for 32 fifth-generation fighter jets in late January 2020, and the first aircraft was delivered in the fall of 2024. However, like other countries, it remained in the U.S. for crew training, along with several other aircraft.
In total, deliveries of the F-35 to Poland will continue through 2029. The first aircraft arrived in the country after a six-year wait, and the order is expected to be fully delivered nine years after the agreement was signed.
This highlights how long it takes from signing a contract for fifth-generation fighter jets to their full delivery. The timeline is likely to extend further as more countries place orders and the waiting list grows. For instance, Romania is expected to receive its jets in the 2030s.
In terms of its ability to compete with russian Su-35S and Su-57 fighter jets, the Polish F-35s have advantages in radar systems, avionics, and stealth capabilities. However, russia still retains one key advantage—the R-37M air-to-air missile, with a claimed range of up to 300 km.
Currently, a similar European Meteor missile is being integrated into American fifth-generation fighter jets, but this process will not be completed until the 2030s. The U.S. is also working on its own AIM-260 JATM, which is estimated to be capable of engaging air targets at ranges of up to 200 km, but it rarely appears in public, so its readiness status is unknown.
In addition, the F-35 has access to a wide range of high-precision weapons, including JSM cruise missiles with a range of 555 km, which are currently being procured by European countries. It can also employ various guided glide munitions, such as the JDAM and GBU-39 SDB, which are also part of Ukraine’s arsenal.
Poland is actively seeking to strengthen its air force beyond simply acquiring more F-35s, F-16s, FA-50s, or even a new aircraft type. The country is also considering joining the GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, but the situation is more complicated than it appears.
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