MSPO 2021: Polish F-35 delivery schedule confirmed
Poland has ordered 32 F-35A fighters from the US. (Gordon Arthur)
Poland will receive its first F-35A fighter in 2024.
During MSPO 2021, Lockheed Martin announced details related to F-35A manufacturing for the Polish Air Force.
According to J.R McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s VP, business development combat air, manufacturing of the first aircraft for Poland will start in 2022. Delivery of the first F-35 is then scheduled for 2024.
Similar to some other customers, the first eight Polish aircraft will not be delivered to Poland but will initially stay in the US for pilot and technical crew training.
McDonald said they will be based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, although other locations are possible. Training for 24 Polish pilots
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe]()
Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe
Canada’s interest in negotiating a procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft signals its readiness to reduce its reliance on US defence technology as trade tensions with its North American neighbour mount.
-
![US Air Force CCA programme to achieve multiple milestones in the coming months]()
US Air Force CCA programme to achieve multiple milestones in the coming months
The US Air Force is preparing to select mission-autonomy software, fire a missile from the FQ-42 Vengeance and test both CCA designs alongside crewed fighters at 2026 Emerald Flag.
-
![Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?]()
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.
-
![September drone digest: attrition-tolerant aircraft pitched to replace the Reaper]()
September drone digest: attrition-tolerant aircraft pitched to replace the Reaper
The loss of many MQ-9 Reapers during the 2026 Iran War has underscored the risks of sending relatively expensive UAVs into contested airspace. In September, new contenders to replace the Reaper emerged, championing cheaper, modular aircraft designs for mass production and inevitable attrition.
