Poland's $4.6bn F-35 Order Raises Concerns Over U.S. Fighter Readiness

The United States Government Accountability Office reports that only about 28.5% of the Air Force's F‑35A fleet is fully combat‑ready, with even lower rates for the Navy and Marine Corps variants (22% for F‑35C, 16.2% for F‑35B, and 15.3% for Navy F‑35C). While mission‑capable percentages are higher, they remain limited—for example, the F‑35A shows a 38.6% mission‑capable rate.

The low readiness stems from shortages of spare parts, corrosion problems, and delays in the TR‑3 technology refresh and Block 4 modernization. Operators often cannibalize aircraft for parts, and pilots spend more time in simulators than in the air. The GAO estimates that bringing the fleet to full readiness could cost $13.7 billion over five years, about $2.74 billion annually.

Poland’s contract, valued at $4.6 billion, calls for 32 F‑35A “Husarz” fighters to be delivered by 2029, with the first jets already stationed at the Łask base. The readiness issues highlighted by the U.S. reports are therefore pertinent to Poland’s procurement and operational planning.