Poland is moving to significantly expand its fleet of advanced fighter jets, with the country's defense minister signaling plans to purchase two additional squadrons of F-35s, according to Breaking Defense.
The move would double Poland's existing order, bringing the total from 32 to 64 of the stealth multirole aircraft. The two extra squadrons would represent a substantial commitment of military spending and industrial partnership with the United States.
Poland has been one of NATO's most active military spenders in recent years, driven by its position on the alliance's eastern flank and heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is widely considered the most capable Western fighter jet currently in production.
The expansion, if confirmed, would make Poland one of the larger F-35 operators in Europe — a signal of both its military ambitions and its deepening defense ties with Washington.
For NATO allies, a more capable Polish air force matters strategically: Poland shares a border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and with Belarus, making it a critical frontline state in any potential conflict scenario on the continent.