Poland receives first Italian-built F-35

Following the recent completion of deliveries of the first batch of aircraft built in the US (pictured), Poland has now begun receiving the secodn batch built in Italy. ((MND/ Rafał Samluk))

The first Lockheed Martin F-35PL Husarz (Hussar) combat aircraft to be built in Italy has been received by the Polish Air Force (Inspektorat Sił Powietrznych: ISP), shortly after the final US-built aircraft was delivered.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the delivery into the 32nd Tactical Air Base at Łask Airfield in central Poland of the first of 16 F-35PL (the national designation for the international F-35A Lightning II) aircraft to be built at the Cameri final assembly and checkout (FACO) facility near Milan on 1 October 2025. This happened weeks after the last of 16 aircraft built at the Fort Worth production facility in Texas was delivered on 5 August 2026 (of these initial 16, eight have been retained in the US for pilot and maintainer training).

“Our base in Łask has received the ninth F-35. This is the first aircraft from the Italian production line. Deliveries of modern Husarz aircraft are a key element in building the capabilities of our air force. Fifth-generation aircraft significantly enhance reconnaissance, strike, and cooperation capabilities with NATO allies. Deliveries are proceeding according to plan,” he said. Deliveries are scheduled to run through to 2030.

With 32 aircraft ordered to date, Poland is expected to place a follow-on buy for a further 32. No contract has yet been signed, and the Ministry of National Defence (MND) has not disclosed where these additional aircraft might be built.