Lockheed Martin has recently initiated the assembly process of the initial fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for the Polish Air Force. Nevertheless, there will be a minor delay in the start of the deliveries.
As per the information available, the aircraft is being assembled at Lockheed Martin’s factory located in Georgia, following which it will be sent to a Fort Worth, Texas-based facility for wing installation. The manufacturing of the first fighter jets for the Polish Air Force is scheduled to commence in 2024, but the planes will remain in the US for training purposes.
Initially, it was planned that the first two out of the total six fifth-generation fighters would be dispatched to Poland between March and June 2026, and the remaining four would follow in the first half of 2027. However, it has been disclosed that the initial aircraft will only reach Poland in November and December 2026, and the rest will be delivered by the end of 2027.
It should be noted that in 2021, Poland signed a contract worth $4.6 billion to purchase 32 F-35A Lightning II fighters.
The airbase in Lask will be the first deployment location for these aircraft.