Three U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets arrived in Poland on May 22, 2026, as part of a 32-aircraft purchase signed in 2020 [1, 2, 3, 4]. These jets represent the first fifth-generation fighters permanently stationed on NATO's eastern flank [1, 3, 4]. Poland’s Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz called the delivery a milestone, saying, "Poland is entering a new era of air capability" and confirming it as the first batch of such advanced jets in the region [1, 2].
The aircraft were stationed at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask. Polish pilots and ground crews trained in the U.S. at a base in Arkansas where the initial jets were previously located [1, 2, 3, 4]. The jets carry the Polish designation "Husarz," named after the historic winged hussars cavalry units [2, 4]. Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland aims "to increase long-term deployment and improve U.S.-Poland operational integration to secure NATO’s eastern flank" [3].
The contract signed in 2020 for 32 F-35 aircraft is valued at approximately $4.6 billion, including training and logistics, with deliveries scheduled through 2030 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Some sources reported an erroneous contract value of $46 billion [1, 3]. Poland has also bought 96 Apache helicopters from the U.S. for about $10 billion, with eight already delivered [1, 3, 4]. Total U.S. military procurement projects by Poland now approach $63 billion [1, 3].
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 21 the plan to deploy 5,000 additional American troops to Poland [1, 3, 4]. Poland is reviewing the proposal, seeking to solidify long-term troop presence and interoperability with U.S. forces [1, 3, 4]. Kosiniak-Kamysz described the F-35 delivery as symbolizing "the strength of transatlantic cooperation" amid ongoing regional tensions [4].
A formal ceremony marking the F-35 jets' official operational service in Poland is scheduled for June 12, 2026 [1, 3, 4].
