– Deterrence is something we count on here, but we have to be prepared for every eventuality. With the F-35, with the Patriot systems, with the Abrams tanks and HIMARS, Poland is safe – said the US ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, in an interview with “Fakty” TVN correspondent Marcin Wrona.
On Wednesday, the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, United States, hosted presentation of the first F-35 fighter for the Polish Air Force. On this day in our country we celebrate Polish Aviation Day.
The example presented by Lockheed Martin bears the factory designation AZ-01. The fifth-generation fighter created by the Americans, which will fly in the Polish Air Force, received the name Hussar. It was selected in a competition, the results of which were announced by the General Staff of the Polish Army at the end of April.
The first F-35 Husarz fighter produced for PolandPAP/Radek Parsley
The fighter transferred to Poland, along with another machine, is scheduled to reach Ebbing Air Force Base in Arkansas in December, where training for Polish pilots will begin.
Ambassador Brzezinski: Deterrence is what we are counting on here
The ceremony was attended by, among others, the Ambassador USA in Poland Mark Brzezinski and Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk.
– Deterrence is something we count on here, but we have to be prepared for every eventuality. With the F-35, with the Patriot (systems – ed.) with the Abrams tanks, with the HIMARS, Poland is safe and Poland is secured – assessed Brzezinski in an interview with “Fakty” TVN correspondent Marcin Wrona.
– This is a historic moment for the entire Polish society. The F-35 is the most modern aircraft of this type in the world. This is an aircraft that we want to deter potential aggressors in the first place – Tomczyk emphasized.
Contract for 32 F-35 aircraft
January 31, 2020 in Dęblin (Lublin Province), Poland Ministry of National Defense signed a contract for the delivery of 32 F-35A aircraft. The contract also provided for a logistics and training package. The first included spare and operating parts, ground support equipment and pilot equipment, a computerized operation management system, and ground support equipment. This is to ensure full support for the operation of aircraft and other equipment until 2030.
The second package includes comprehensive training of pilots and maintenance personnel in the United States. A ground training system has also been ordered, including an integrated training center and eight full mission simulators. The contract also includes one spare F135 engine manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.
The contract is worth $4.6 billion. At the time of signing, it was the second largest arms contract in Poland's history. As reported by the Ministry of National Defense in 2020, one aircraft with an engine was valued at $87.3 million. The contract provides that the aircraft delivered first will have the modifications that the manufacturer will introduce in aircraft produced later. This particularly concerns the increase from four to six number of weapon hangers inside the fuselage compartments.
According to plans, the first F-35 aircraft will reach the Polish Air Force this year. At the time of signing the contract, it was announced that deliveries would last until 2030. Poland is to receive four to six F-35s annually.
Main image source: TVN24