Lockheed Martin has initiated the production of F-35 Lightning II jets for the Polish Air Force at its manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA. On 12 April 2023, the production of the Polish Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft officially commenced at Lockheed Martin’s facilities. Lockheed Martin, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), will manufacture the F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, which is the standard NATO combat aircraft.

These aircraft will be delivered to Poland from 2024 to 2030. The initial component, known as the centre fuselage wing assembly (CWA), accounts for approximately one-quarter of the aircraft’s fuselage. The CWA is where the wings are attached during the final assembly, taking place at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the facility in Georgia to observe Lockheed Martin’s efforts in supporting Poland’s armed forces, marking a significant milestone in Poland’s F-35 program. Poland will receive 32 F-35s equipped with Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) and Block 4 capabilities.

TR-3 represents a substantial advancement in the F-35’s capabilities, including enhanced computing power, sensor capability, and increased weapons capacity. The F-35’s unmatched data sharing capabilities will integrate national security platforms into a cohesive network, providing awareness across the 21st-century security battlespace and offering a clear decision-making advantage. Lockheed Martin has been supporting Poland for over 20 years, delivering various defense and security programs, including Air Sovereignty Operation Centers, sniper advanced targeting pods, Black Hawk helicopters, and pilot, maintainer, and soldier training through live and simulation-based environments.

The Polish Air Force aims to modernize its forces to align with the latest NATO defense platforms, equipment, and resources. The procurement of the F-35A CTOL aircraft is a significant step towards this goal, replacing the Polish Air Force’s outdated platforms. Currently, the Polish Air Force utilizes four multi-role aircraft for combat missions, including MiG-29As and MiG29-UBs acquired from Russia in 2003-2004, as well as F-16C Block 52 and F-16D Block 52 acquired from General Dynamics in 2003. Replacing the aging MiG fleet, which does not integrate well with NATO fleets, is crucial for the modernization program. The F-35A, being the standard NATO combat aircraft, will address this issue, especially with the expected induction of 400 F-35s across NATO fleets by 2030. According to GlobalData, Poland is projected to spend $266 million on its F-35A program in 2023, with an increase to $391 million by 2033. While Poland faces challenges with its Russian MiGs, its F-16 fleet does not pose similar strains.

Lockheed Martin aims to enhance the fourth-generation legacy F-16 with fifth-generation capabilities, enabling it to operate effectively until the 2060s. Upgrades such as Northrop Grumman’s AESA radar system and Lockheed’s Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System will enhance the F-16’s capabilities. The F-16 has proven its competence in addressing current aerospace challenges. For instance, on 7 April, two Romanian F-16s were deployed to safeguard Baltic airspace in response to Russian Suhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter jets in the region, demonstrating the Romanian Air Force’s ability to utilize F-16 aircraft in NATO missions, as stated by Colonel Cosmin Vlad, the commander of the F-16 detachment.