On August 28th, the Polish Air Force Day, an official unveiling of the first F-35 plane purchased by Poland took place in the US. Deputy minister Paweł Bejda, who led the Polish delegation, took part in the ceremony, alongside deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk and representatives of the commanders of the Polish Air Force. Poland had signed a contract for 32 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II planes. Beyond the fighters themselves, the contract encompasses spare engines, mission simulators, service support and pilot and ground crews training.

Speaking on the security threats and challenges before the Polish Armed Forces, deputy minister Bejda stressed:

 „Facing the violations of our airspace, cyberattacks and other provocations we have to commit the appropriate resources in order to defend ourselves from these direct threats. As part of our efforts we are committed to strengthening border security, focusing on the challenges connected to illegal migration and hybrid warfare. Shield East is one of the largest investments in national security and border defense in the post-war history of Poland. The ongoing transformation of the Polish Armed Forces plays a key role in overcoming the aforementioned challenges. We work tirelessly to improve our capabilities in every domain – on land, at sea, in air, outer space and cyberspace. These are not just words. Poland commits 4% of its GDP to defence, and is a leader of NATO in this respect. This is not an easy task considering the overall budget expenses and the econom still recovering from the challenges which we have faced in the last few years. However, I am happy that defence spending is met with popular approval. This spending allows us to pursue an ambitious programme of modernization and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces, one effect of which you can all see today".

Deputy minister Bejda underscored the good military cooperation between Poland and the US, both bilateral and as part of NATO. He spoke of the necessity to strengthen the cooperation in the areas of arms production and defence industry.

„I would like to stress that we greatly value the United States as a stalwart and reliable ally and our main partner in building our defence capabilities. The support we receive plays a key role in the modernization of our defence equipment. This partnership grants us access to the latest technologies and training. Our main modernization programmes concern  the PATRIOT and HIMARS systems, ABRAMS tanks, APACHE helicopters, ISR aerostats and of course the F-35 planes. There is no doubt that this cooperation is beneficial to both sides – Poland has access to the best defence equipment available, and the US industry can further expand its presence in Europe. It would be even more profitable for all of us if the US defence companies invested in Poland more. As a user of US flagship products in most domains I declare that there are no limits in the military-technological and industrial cooperation between Poland and the US”

- deputy minister Bejda added.

The secretary of state in the Ministry of National Defence emphasized that thanks to the F-35 planes the Polish Armed Forces have joined the elite that strengthens the defence capabilities of this part of Europe. We can be proud that our F-35s, the Polish F-35s will be a part of it. Poland will receive 32 F-35 planes, that in conjunction with our F-16s will bolster our ability to defend the eastern border of Poland and the eastern flank of NATO. It is our task to build a larger and more advanced air fleet that will overcome the new challenges.

In his speech the deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk emphasized the role of the security alliance between Poland and the US.

„Today’s ceremony is a major milestone in the long process of introducing the F-35s to the Polish Armed Forces. I would like to thank the US government and the US Congress for the political support, thanks to which this can happen”

- deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk said during the ceremony

„Poland is the only country in the world with a common border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. In order to keep these borders as they are, we need the best equipment, the best capabilities and the best friends. And as my American friends often say: „A true friend is the one who arrives when the rest of the world walks away

- said deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk.

„The alliance of Poland and the United States remains – as ever – solid. We are very proud that Poland and the Polish Armed Forces become part of the elite and are joining to the great F-35 family. It is also highly symbolic, especially today, on the Day of the Polish Air Force. F-35 is the best fighter plane in the world, and it is what we truly need”

- the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defence said.

Thanks to the acquisition of F-35 planes Poland joins an exclusive, elite group of countries operating these machines. These planes are notable for their interoperability, cooperating with the PATRIOT systems and the F-16 fighters, which the Polish Armed Forces owns, among others.