Poland is on the verge of receiving its first F-35 fighter jets in what officials describe as an imminent delivery, according to Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski. The arrival of the advanced American aircraft represents a pivotal moment in the country’s military modernization efforts and deepening security partnership with Washington. At the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Lask, hangars stand ready to house the fifth-generation fighters, part of a US$ 4.6 billion agreement for 32 aircraft from Lockheed Martin signed in 2020.
The base has undergone extensive infrastructure upgrades to meet American certification standards. New operational facilities, maintenance systems and classified areas have been built to support the sophisticated aircraft. Polish commanders overseeing the transition emphasize that integration involves years of specialized training and coordination with US forces. The cost of preparing a single F-35 pilot reaches approximately US$ 55 million, reflecting the complexity of operating the world’s most advanced fighter jet.
American and Polish forces operate side by side at strategic NATO base
The military relationship between Warsaw and Washington extends beyond equipment purchases into daily operational cooperation. Lt. Col. Pete Nanoslawski, commander of the 52nd Operations Group Detachment 1 stationed at Lask for five years, described unprecedented support from Polish logistics and infrastructure. American personnel train and operate alongside their Polish counterparts at the base, creating a level of integration unusual even within NATO.
Col. pilot Krzysztof Duda, commander of the 32nd Tactical Air Base, characterized the relationship in personal terms. A graduate of the US Air War College, Duda considers himself a product of American military education. “We speak the same language, only with different accents,” he stated. The commander added that the military partnership has become so fundamental that dissolution would be impossible. “Even if you want to divorce, we would not,” Duda said with emphasis.
Soviet-era memories drive Poland’s defense investment
For many Polish military officers, the urgency behind defense modernization stems from direct experience with Soviet domination. Lt. Col. known by his call sign “Shooter,” an F-16 pilot at the base, explained that eastern NATO members carry memories that shape current security priorities. Some personnel served during the communist period, creating institutional awareness of threats from Moscow.
The Polish perspective includes observation of Russian military actions across multiple conflicts:
- Military operations in Chechnya during the 1990s and 2000s
- The 2008 invasion of Georgia and occupation of South Ossetia
- The 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine
- The ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022
“We have this intuition probably written in our DNA,” Shooter explained. “When they are doing something, they’re not going to stop unless the cost of further operation is going to be more than what they’re going to gain.” This assessment drives Poland’s belief that robust deterrence capabilities remain essential for security.
F-35 integration advances through US training programs
Polish pilots began F-35 training in the United States during 2024, with programs conducted at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. The 33rd Fighter Wing confirmed in February that a Polish pilot completed the first flight aboard Poland’s new F-35A aircraft as part of the training curriculum. The extended training period ensures pilots master the aircraft’s advanced sensor fusion, stealth capabilities and networked warfare systems.
Lockheed Martin emphasized that F-35 integration strengthens regional deterrence and enhances interoperability across European forces. A company spokesperson noted that recent combat and air policing operations demonstrate the aircraft’s role in defending NATO airspace by deterring and defeating threats. The manufacturer continues preparations for Poland’s first in-country F-35 arrival celebration scheduled for June at Lask.
Poland emerges as leading NATO contributor amid alliance debates
Warsaw’s defense transformation occurs against ongoing discussions in Washington about NATO burden-sharing among member states. Poland has substantially increased military spending, reaching levels that exceed NATO’s two percent GDP target. The country hosts US forces, purchases American weapons systems and maintains forward-deployed capabilities near the alliance’s eastern frontier.
Lt. Col. Nanoslawski highlighted that Poland’s forward military sales portfolio reflects an understanding of security threats. The American presence provides enhanced positioning and rapid maneuver capability in a strategically critical region. Deputy Defense Minister Zalewski confirmed that F-35 capabilities offer air dominance crucial for modern battlefield operations. “It will be a capability developed together with Americans,” Zalewski stated during an interview in Warsaw.
The partnership represents a significant shift for a military that operated Soviet-era equipment for decades. Polish pilots who remember flying under Warsaw Pact structures now train on the most sophisticated aircraft in the US arsenal. Col. Duda noted that while jets have not yet arrived at Lask, the partnership supporting them has already transformed Polish military capabilities and alliance cohesion along NATO’s eastern edge.
