Poland has officially begun its transition to the advanced Lockheed Martin F-35A Husarz fighter jet, with Polish Air Force pilots commencing training in the United States, the country’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced on February 6. 

The pilot training program commenced on January 31 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Arkansas, utilizing aircraft 3501 and 3502. 

This is a crucial step in Poland’s acquisition of 32 F-35A fighters, the first two of which were formally presented to the MND at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth production facility in August 2024. 

Ebbing ANGB serves as a key training hub for several F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, including Poland, Finland, Singapore, Germany, and Switzerland. 

The base was selected in 2023 to supplement the existing F-35 FMS training program at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, which faced environmental restrictions limiting operations to 24 aircraft. The addition of Ebbing expands the program’s capacity by 50%, with plans to station 12 F-35s at the site. 

On February 5, the US Air Force (USAF) also confirmed in a press release that a Polish Air Force pilot had successfully conducted the first flight in the new aircraft as part of the 33rd Fighter Wing’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) operations. The milestone was described as a “historic moment.” 

A Polish student pilot said, “This is a historic moment for the Polish Air Force, and we are honored to be training alongside our US counterparts at Ebbing.”

“The F-35A is a game-changing platform, and we are confident that our pilots will benefit greatly from the world-class instruction and facilities available here. We thank our American friends for their hospitality and cooperation, and we look forward to a successful and productive training experience,” the pilot added. 

The training program is set to continue through spring 2025 when the first group of PAF pilots is expected to graduate. 

The USAF underscored that the successful launch of the F-35 training at Ebbing reflects a strong partnership between the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Poland, and local and state officials in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Poland’s F-35 Fleet 

Poland is pressing ahead with its ambitious air force modernization program, with the transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Husarz at the center of its efforts. 

The country plans to field 32 of the advanced stealth fighters under the locally designated moniker “Husarz,” which will become a key component of its air defense strategy. 

The first aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Poland in 2026, and the fleet is expected to achieve full operational capability by 2030. 

Poland’s F-35A fleet will be stationed at two air bases: Łask, which currently operates F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, and Świdwin, home to a unit flying aging Soviet-designed Su-22 ground-attack aircraft. 

Meanwhile, as Polish pilots undergo training in the United States, personnel at home are gaining experience with the aircraft through joint exercises.

As part of NATO’s air-policing mission along the alliance’s eastern flank, a detachment of Norwegian F-35As has been temporarily stationed at Krzesiny Air Base. 

These aircraft arrived in December and were scrambled in January for the first time in response to a large formation of Russian aircraft approaching Polish airspace, though the Russian jets ultimately turned away before violating NATO airspace.

In an interview with the Polish military magazine Polska Zbrojna in January, Lieutenant Colonel Michal Zloch stated that the primary challenge would be integrating the F-35 and F-16 fleets. 

He highlighted the importance of preparing pilots of both aircraft to work together seamlessly, noting that joint training with Norwegian forces has been beneficial in achieving this goal. 

The F-35 acquisition is part of a broader effort to expand Poland’s air power. This includes the purchase of 48 FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea. Additionally, the Ministry of National Defence has allocated funds for 32 more fighter jets across two squadrons. 

The Polish Air Force is also exploring options for an air dominance fighter to complement its growing fleet, with the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and the Eurofighter Typhoon emerging as potential candidates. 

Boeing’s F-15 chief pilot, Matt Giese, has previously promoted the F-15EX as a highly capable addition to Poland’s fleet. He stated that the F-15EX would add complementary capabilities to the Polish Air Force’s existing fighter jet fleet.

With a 30,000-pound payload capacity, the aircraft is well-suited for “any mission set.” A final decision on Poland’s air dominance fighter selection could be made this year. 

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