Poland receives first F-35 fighter jets, marking defense milestone
The first three of 32 F-35A stealth combat aircraft arrived at Poland's Łask air base on May 22, making Poland the first NATO eastern flank nation to operate fifth-generation fighters.
Poland welcomed its first three F-35A stealth fighters on May 22, 2026, as the advanced aircraft landed at the air force base in Łask after flying from Fort Worth, Texas. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz hailed them as "the first fifth-generation fighters on NATO's eastern flank."
Poland's variant has been named "Husarz" (Winged Hussar), referencing the famous Polish heavy cavalry units from the 16th to 18th centuries. The country ordered 32 F-35s from Lockheed Martin in 2020 under the previous government, in a deal worth around $4.6 billion including training, simulators and logistical support.
Delivery timeline
- 14 aircraft expected by end of 2026 at Łask base
- Full operational readiness planned for 2027
- All 32 jets to be delivered by 2032
Poland joins Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Denmark and Belgium as European operators of the F-35. The delivery comes as Poland has dramatically increased defense spending to 4.8% of GDP in 2026—the largest relative defense budget in NATO—and has also ordered hundreds of tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and air-defense systems from the US and South Korea.
For foreigners living in Poland, this represents a significant shift in the country's security posture and defense capabilities. While the military buildup doesn't directly affect daily life for expats, it reflects Poland's strategic priorities and the broader regional security environment in Central Europe.
