Poland inducts first F‑35A “Husarz” fighters into Air Force

On 12 June 2026, Poland held a ceremony at the 32nd Tactical Aviation Base in Łask to formally accept its first three F‑35A Lightning II aircraft (serials 3509‑3511) into service. President Karol Nawrocki, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz, Vice‑Premier, U.S. officials Thomas DiNanno and Ambassador Thomas Rose, and other Polish and allied representatives attended. The jets performed a symbolic fly‑over of Gdańsk, Warsaw, Kraków and Łódź before landing to a water‑salute by the Military Fire Service. The aircraft were christened “Husarz” and the President said the jets make Poland “stronger, safer and a clear signal to our enemies, especially Russia and the Kremlin.”

Poland plans to acquire a total of 32 F‑35A fighters, with 11 more expected in the coming months and another 12 by next year. The Defence Minister highlighted the need for supporting infrastructure, bases and aerial refuelling to fully exploit the jets’ capabilities, stressing the continuation of the modernisation program and the strategic partnership with the United States within NATO.