A screenshot from a Lockheed Martin video released on 2 August, showing the first of Poland's 32 F-35A in the final stage of assembly before delivery. (Lockheed Martin)
Poland is preparing to receive the first of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, with deliveries to commence later in August.
Lockheed Martin released a video on 2 August showing aircraft AZ-01 being transferred to the final finish facility at its Fort Worth production plant in Texas, ahead of receiving its low-observable (LO) ‘stealth' paint and coating.
“Poland's first F-35 is on the move!” the company said on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Once formally handed over to the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND), AZ-01 will be delivered to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas for pilot training.
Poland signed a contract with the United States government for 32 F-35As in January 2020, with deliveries to run from 2024 to 2030 as the country phases out its Warsaw Pact-era MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum' fighters.
The MND recently assigned the name Husarz to the F-35A in national service, which translates in English to Hussar. The MND also said that the country's F-35As will receive low-visibility greyed-out checkerboard markings in place of the traditional red and white checkerboard. This will be a first for the Polish Armed Forces and has been decided to fully preserve the aircraft's low observability characteristics.
As part of its F-35A procurement plans, Poland is assessing the market for an unmanned ‘loyal wingman' adjunct for the type.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
