Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak spoke about his intention to acquire the American F35 aircraft during his meeting with Lockheed Martin's director of programs on May 17. Warsaw plans to order two F35 squadrons, that is to say between 32 and 36 devices, delivered in two batches, one batch delivered from 2026, a second delivered later. According to him, the entry into service of the F35 in the Polish air force will increase its performance to a much higher level.
If Poland had been considering the acquisition of F35 for several years, the scenario precipitated this spring as tensions between Ankara and Washington over the acquisition of S-400 systems by the Turkish armies grew. In order to guard against the effects of an exit from Turkey, and its 100 aircraft ordered, from the F35 program, the US authorities have undertaken an action of seduction towards Poland, Romania and Greece, to place its aircraft on -probable numbers. And the 3 countries have all responded, sweeping aside their European aspirations, in particular vis-à-vis the FCAS program.
Poland has announced a vast plan to modernize its armed forces, financed to the tune of $50 billion between 2016 and 2026. It recently purchased the HIMARS long-range artillery system, as well as two Patriot PAC batteries. -3, four more to be ordered later. The country is also investing in its own defense industry, by signing numerous partnerships with American and European companies, including technology transfers.
On the other hand, Warsaw seems not to like French defense equipment, like several countries in Eastern Europe. Beyond the unfortunate experience of Airbus Hélicoptère which had a contract for the purchase of 50 Caracal maneuvering helicopters canceled, Dassault also experienced failure by offering its Mirage 2000 against the F16 in 2002. As for Naval Group, it continues to defend its Scorpène against the German Type 212, but despite the strong points of the French offer (the MdCN missile), the Polish authorities seem to continue to ignore the French offers.