Poland, US to sign F-35 fighter deal in late January - MoD

In late January, Poland will sign an agreement with the United States for the purchase of thirty-two F-35 fifth-generation fighter planes, Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak told Polish Radio Three on Thursday.

"We've basically finalised the negotiations, with only minor procedural issues still pending. I'm convinced that in January (...) we will sign an agreement with the United States for the purchase of thirty-two F-35 planes, the most modern aircraft in the world," Błaszczak said.

Asked about a concrete date, Błaszczak said "late January."

Last year, Poland applied to the US government for the purchase of 32 of the latest-generation jet fighters.

So far, the United States and other countries have received 490 F-35s, including 134 in 2019. This year Lockheed Martin, the plane's producer, plans to deliver 141 more aircraft to customers.

The jets are deployed in 21 bases around the world.

According to Lockheed Martin, the price of the A-version aircraft that Poland is interested in should be below USD 80 mln. The first planes are planned to be available to Poland in 2024, but would remain in the US for two more years, until pilots and ground crews have been trained.

After modernising its fighter fleet, Poland plans to get rid of its Soviet-era MiG-29 jets.