{"id":45833,"date":"2019-09-11T16:41:24","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T16:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/09\/11\/poland-cleared-to-buy-f-35-fleet\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:25:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:25:01","slug":"poland-cleared-to-buy-f-35-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/09\/11\/poland-cleared-to-buy-f-35-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland cleared to buy F-35 fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. State Department has OK\u2019d Poland to buy the F-35, America\u2019s most advanced fighter<\/a>, setting up the country as the newest customer<\/a> for the fifth-generation jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed order covers 32 of the conventional-takeoff-and-landing F-35A variants, with an estimated price tag of $6.5 billion, according to a Wednesday announcement on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. As with all DSCA notifications, quantities and dollar figures can change during negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Congress can still act to block the sale, it\u2019s expected to run smoothly through Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis proposed sale of F-35s will provide Poland with a credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces,\u201d the DSCA announcement reads. \u201cThe proposed sale will augment Poland\u2019s operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poland formally sent its request<\/a> for the F-35 in May with the goal of replacing its legacy MiG-29 and Su-22 fleets. Procuring the F-35 is part of a broader defense modernization effort from Warsaw, which will see the country spend $47 billion by 2026 on new equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\t