By Shumaila Aslam,
Scandinavian News Agency
Poland’s F-35 fleet has grown to eight aircraft after the United States delivered another five of the stealth fighters, according to information shared with Scandinavian News Agency. The delivery is part of a phased rollout that Warsaw expects will bring its total fleet to 32 jets by 2029.
Six additional F-35s are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year. Poland is then due to receive twelve more in 2027, followed by six in both 2028 and 2029, completing its original 32-jet order under the country’s “Harpia” program.
The delivery figures above are drawn from the notes provided and have not been independently verified against a primary source such as Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the Polish Ministry of National Defence. Please confirm before publication.
Poland F-35 Fleet Could Double to 64 Jets
Polish Defense Minister Wลadysลaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has said Poland intends to order another 32 F-35s, a move that would bring the country’s total fleet to 64 aircraft, according to the minister’s stated plans. If confirmed and finalized, this would place Poland alongside Finland as one of the largest F-35 operators in the region.
The potential order comes shortly after Poland reportedly appeared on a U.S. list of countries eligible for Foreign Military Sales of the Boeing F-15EX fighter, sources familiar with the matter say. However, Kosiniak-Kamysz has indicated Warsaw’s preference remains with expanding its existing F-35 fleet rather than diversifying into the F-15EX.
Why Northern and Eastern Europe Are Buying F-35s
The push to acquire F-35s is not unique to Poland. Countries across Northern and Central Eastern Europe โ many bordering Russia or close to it have been expanding their fifth-generation fighter fleets as part of preparations for coordinated NATO air operations in the event of a conflict involving Russia.
Once all planned deliveries are complete, regional totals are expected to reach a combined 279 F-35s across six countries, according to figures shared with this agency:
Key Facts
- Poland’s F-35 fleet now stands at eight aircraft after the latest delivery of five jets.
- Poland’s original order totals 32 F-35s, with deliveries continuing through 2029.
- Defense Minister Wลadysลaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has stated Poland plans to order 32 additional F-35s, which would bring its fleet to 64.
- Regional F-35 totals, once complete, are projected at: Finland (64), Poland (64), Norway (52), Denmark (43), Romania (32), and Czechia (24) โ a combined 279 aircraft.
- The buildup is described as part of joint NATO air-defense preparations in Northern and Central Eastern Europe.
- Poland has received five more F-35 jets, raising its total to eight, as Warsaw weighs doubling its fleet to 64 amid regional NATO buildup.
FAQs:
How many F-35s does Poland currently have?
Poland’s fleet stands at eight F-35s following the latest delivery, part of a broader order for 32 jets under its Harpia program.
When will Poland receive its remaining F-35s?
Six more are expected by the end of this year, with twelve arriving in 2027 and six each in 2028 and 2029.
Is Poland planning to buy more F-35s beyond its original order?
Polish Defense Minister Wลadysลaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has said Poland plans to acquire 32 additional F-35s, which would bring the total fleet to 64, though this has not been confirmed as a signed contract.
Why are so many European countries buying F-35s?
Nations in Northern and Central Eastern Europe near Russia are expanding F-35 fleets as part of joint NATO air-defense preparations.
What is the F-15EX, and why was it mentioned regarding Poland?
The F-15EX is a Boeing-built fighter jet. Poland reportedly appeared on a U.S. list of potential buyers, but its defense minister has indicated a preference for expanding the F-35 fleet instead.
What This Means for NATO’s Eastern Flank
A combined regional fleet approaching 280 F-35s would represent one of the largest concentrations of fifth-generation fighters outside the United States.
Analysts note that shared platforms across neighboring air forces can simplify joint training, maintenance, and interoperability during coordinated missions a factor regional defense ministries have cited as motivation for standardizing on the F-35.
Poland has not yet confirmed a contract for the additional 32 jets, and any such order would need to proceed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process before deliveries could begin.
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