Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak pays a visit to Poznań’s 31st Tactical Air Base. A ceremony takes place to celebrate the successful completion of a specialized training program for the crews of advanced fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
Here’s What We Know The pilots are currently undergoing training using simulators, with plans to transition to actual fighter aircraft next year. Minister Mariusz Blaszczak emphasizes the capability of the aircraft to exchange data with the Polish Armed Forces’ Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
In January 2020, Warsaw officially signed a contract with Lockheed Martin. The Ministry of Defense has procured 32 F-35A Block 4 fighters, the basic version for the Air Force, amounting to a total cost of $4.6 billion. The agreement also encompasses support and training systems. Poland became the tenth NATO member country to select the F-35.
The delivery of the fifth-generation fighters is scheduled to commence in 2024 and continue until 2030. Initially, the first six aircraft will be stationed at a US Air Force base for a year-long training program.
The training package includes extensive instruction for both pilots and technicians, along with a ground-based training system. This system features an integrated training center and eight flight simulators. Additionally, the contract ensures comprehensive logistics support for the F-35A Block 4 fighters until 2030.