For the primary time, Poles have been capable of see a state-of-the-art fighter jet that may grow to be one of many pillars of the nation’s army aviation within the coming years.
Three fifth-generation F-35 plane, nicknamed “Fsalz,” carried out a ceremonial flight over Poland’s largest metropolis as a part of Operation “Welcome to Poland.”
The occasion preceded an official ceremony to introduce the jet to the Polish army on the thirty second Tactical Air Power Base in Jask.
“Welcome to Poland”
The fighter jets took off from the bottom in Jask within the morning and started an indication flight, with the goal of giving residents the chance to see the Polish army’s new gear up shut.
“That is the day now we have been ready for for years! Right this moment, Poland welcomes the F-35 Fsarz,” Deputy Prime Minister and Protection Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamisz wrote on social media.
The primary cease on the route was Gdańsk, the place the jet appeared over the historic Westerplatte peninsula at round 9:45 a.m.
The F-35s then headed to Warsaw, flying alongside the Vistula River on the heights of the Warsaw Citadel at roughly 10:10 a.m.
The subsequent leg of the journey was Krakow, the place at round 10:35 a.m., the airplane was seen over the Vistula River close to Wawel Hill.
The final metropolis included within the exhibit was Lodz, and at round 11:05 a.m., the jet flew over the Lviv Airman roundabout earlier than turning again towards Usk airfield.
This flypast aroused nice curiosity amongst residents. Movies and images taken by spectators have been posted on social media virtually instantly.
This flight was not solely symbolic; It was additionally a part of the coaching.
Polish Aviation’s technological revolution
The fifth-generation F-35 is likely one of the world’s most superior fighter plane. Stealth expertise makes it tough to be detected by enemy radar.
Additionally it is geared up with an in depth sensor suite that may gather, analyze, and relay data to different army items working within the air, land, and sea.
This plane is able to performing a variety of fight missions.
These can carry fashionable weapons such because the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and the long-range AGM-158 JASSM missile designed to assault floor targets.
In accordance with army specialists, the introduction of the F-35 marks a qualitative leap within the capabilities of the Polish army and strengthens the potential of NATO’s japanese flank.
The F-35 has been produced by Lockheed Martin since 2006 and is step by step changing into the North Atlantic Alliance’s major fighter.
In Europe, it’s operated by the air forces of the UK, Germany, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
Poland builds 32 jets
The primary three F-35s arrived in Wask on the finish of Could.
The official handover of the plane was attended on behalf of the U.S. authorities by President Karol Nawrocki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Protection Władysław Kosiniak-Kamisz, Senate President Maugorzata Kidawa-Bunska, Thomas DiNanno and different authorities leaders.
The ceremony was additionally attended by former Protection Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, who signed the fighter jet buy contract in 2020.
“Right this moment is a historic day for the Polish Armed Forces and the safety of our nation. Poland joins a gaggle of elite nations working fifth-generation plane with distinctive fight capabilities,” President Karol Nawrocki mentioned on social media.
“That is the results of the various army and civilian personnel who labored exhausting to buy and introduce the F-35 to the Polish Air Power. Additionally it is the results of our robust strategic alliance with the US and is a visual new signal of pleasant relations between our two nations, particularly symbolic within the 12 months that marks the 250th anniversary of our independence,” he added.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk additionally commented on the event.
Throughout the Nationwide Protecting Service Day celebrations in Warsaw, the Polish head of presidency talked about in his speech the ceremony marking the induction of F-35 fighter jets into the Polish military.
“Right this moment there may even be celebrations in Usk. It should grow to be a coaching heart, a sort of college for pilots of state-of-the-art plane,” the prime minister mentioned.
“It is no marvel the heroes of High Gun are jealous of our pilots,” he added.
His remarks have been later posted on authorities social media accounts.
Amongst different issues, he mentioned that one of many pilots of the brand new Polish plane had mentioned, “In comparison with earlier plane, the F-35 is sort of a Porsche subsequent to a Fiat Tipo.”
Poland signed a deal in early 2020 to amass 32 F-35 fighter jets, together with a coaching package deal and extra engines. The contract was value $4.6 billion, with a value of roughly $87 million per plane.
The protection minister introduced that 11 extra jets will likely be delivered within the coming months, with one other 12 subsequent 12 months and extra jets to comply with. Poland can have a complete of 32 F-35s.
All deliveries are anticipated to be accomplished by 2029.
The plane will ultimately be primarily based on the thirty second Tactical Air Base in Usk and the twenty first Tactical Air Base in Śfidwin. Each forces are at the moment increasing their infrastructure, together with constructing technical services and putting in state-of-the-art simulators.
Poland’s F-35s are anticipated to achieve full operational functionality round 2030, however by then they are going to step by step take over missions akin to defending nationwide and allied airspace.
“Fsarz”: Polish fifth technology fighter plane
Throughout the ceremony, Poland’s F-35 was symbolically given the identify “Fsarc”. The plane’s godfather was Paulina Kosiniak-Kamish and Captain Magdalena Borik-Krakoubian, spouse of Lieutenant Colonel Maciej Krakoubian “Slav”, who died in a airplane crash in 2025.
“Captain, thanks for coming right here right this moment in response to my invitation. Poland remembers the pilot, Lieutenant-Colonel Krakwian. As a result of the military is a household, and the military leaves nobody alone. Could today give us nice hope and vitality. Lengthy reside the Polish Armed Forces, lengthy reside Poland!” mentioned the Minister of Protection.
The identify for Poland’s F-35 fighter jet, Fsarz, was chosen in a public vote held on the social media channels of the Polish Common Workers.
This alternative refers to one of the crucial well-known army organizations in Polish historical past: the sunshine cavalry. Gentle cavalry fashioned the elite heavy cavalry of the British Commonwealth from the sixteenth to the early 18th century.
Their process was to interrupt by the enemy’s traces, crush their formations, and open the way in which for the remaining Polish cavalry.
Due to glorious coaching, efficient techniques and distinctive weapons, the sunshine cavalry achieved many outstanding victories.
The very best recognized are the victories at Kilholm in 1605, Kuusin in 1610, Chosim in 1673, and Vienna in 1683.
Polish custom of naming weapons
Poland has a protracted custom of giving distinctive names to army gear.
A contemporary instance is the F-16 fighter jet, which was in service with the Polish Air Power from 2006 to 2008 and was given the identify “Jastzimbu.”
Related customs existed earlier than World Struggle II. On the time, the Polish Air Power operated plane such because the PZL.23 “Kalash” and PZL.37 “Wash” bombers.
The brand new identify, F-35 “Fsalc”, continues the long-standing custom of linking fashionable weapons with symbols essential to Poland’s historical past.
