UPDATE (August 28, 2026): Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz confirmed, in a statement marking Polish Aviation Day, that F‑35 “Husarz” jets are now actively operating from Łask Air Base, with more aircraft set to join the fleet shortly. The Minister also stated that Poland’s F‑16 fleet is being modernised at domestic facilities and that in‑flight refuelling capability is being expanded. He noted that the delivery of 4 MRTT tanker aircraft, acquired under the #PolskaSAFE programme, is expected by 2030, allowing Polish fighter jets to fly farther and remain airborne longer without needing to return to base to refuel.
UPDATE 2 (August 28, 2026): In a second post the same day, Minister Kosiniak‑Kamysz announced that 5 new F‑35 aircraft, with tail numbers 3512, 3513, 3514, 3515, and 3516, have arrived in Poland.
Poland has officially added the F‑35 fighter jet to its inventory – an aircraft that serves as a “flying command centre” on the battlefield thanks to its 360‑degree sensor fusion and network‑centric warfare capabilities. With a ceremony held at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask, Poland became the first country on NATO’s eastern flank to operate this fifth‑generation platform operationally.
With over 1,300 units produced worldwide, the F‑35 platform places Poland among an elite group of 20 countries that possess this technology, while fundamentally transforming the nation’s air defence doctrine. The aim is to have 32 F‑35 aircraft in Polish skies by 2030. Their stealth characteristics and automated data fusion turn these jets not just into combat platforms but also into secure information‑sharing nodes among allied forces.
Łask’s 32nd Tactical Air Base – where Poland’s F‑16 journey began – is once again at the centre of this next‑generation defence vision.
Minister Kosiniak‑Kamysz: “Two More Squadrons on the Way”
Speaking at the ceremony, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz stressed that the F‑35s are transforming the military’s operational capabilities: “Poland’s armed forces are going through the biggest transformation process in their history. The continuity of this mission is vital. F‑35s are redefining not just the capabilities of our Air Force but the operational capabilities of the entire Polish military.”
Minister Kosiniak‑Kamysz explained the long‑term vision behind their defence strategy with these words: “Under the armed forces development programme, we have already planned two additional squadrons of fifth‑generation F‑35 fighter jets to further strengthen our military’s deterrent power.”
In a statement marking Polish Aviation Day on August 28, 2026, the Minister confirmed that F‑35 “Husarz” jets are now operational at Łask, with additional aircraft set to join the fleet soon.
In a statement marking Polish Aviation Day on August 28, 2026, the Minister confirmed that F‑35 “Husarz” jets are now operational at Łask, with additional aircraft set to join the fleet soon. In a second post the same day, he announced that 5 new F‑35 aircraft, with tail numbers 3512, 3513, 3514, 3515, and 3516, have arrived in Poland.
F‑16 Modernisation and In‑Flight Refuelling Capability
In his August 28, 2026 statement, Minister Kosiniak‑Kamysz said the Air Force is undergoing its biggest modernisation in decades. He noted that Poland’s F‑16 fleet is being modernised at domestic facilities and that in‑flight refuelling capability is being developed.
The Minister said that 4 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) aircraft, acquired under the #PolskaSAFE programme, are due for delivery by 2030, and that these aircraft will allow Polish fighter jets to fly farther and remain airborne longer without needing to return to base to refuel.
A “Salute to Poland” in the Skies
To honour the official entry into service of the fleet, Polish Air Force pilots carried out a special ceremonial flight over three key locations across the country today as part of the “Salute to Poland” event. This aerial salute drew great interest at Westerplatte in Gdańsk, along the Vistula River in Warsaw at the height of the Royal Castle, and around Wawel Hill in Kraków.
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Following the first F‑35 built for Poland taking to the skies in December 2024, the first Polish pilots completed their training in May 2025 and became ready for the process. The foundation of the fleet was laid with the delivery of the first three aircraft in May of this year.
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Source: C4Defence– MON_GOV_PL
