Polish F-35s to fly over Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Kraków in taxpayer thank‑you event on 12 June
On Friday, 12 June 2026, three recently delivered F-35A Husarz fighters will perform ceremonial flybys over Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Kraków as part of the defence ministry’s ‘Welcome to Poland’ event.
The flyover schedule
A schedule released by the Polish defence ministry (MON) sets the formation over Gdańsk’s Westerplatte at about 9:45, then over Warsaw along the Vistula at the height of the Warsaw Citadel at 10:10, and finally over Kraków near Wawel Hill at 10:35. The ministry cautions that timings are approximate and may shift because of weather or operational needs. Some officials and local reports have described a different order, with the jets departing Łask first for Kraków, then Gdańsk, then Warsaw and back to Łask.
- Flyover Gdańsk (Westerplatte)
- Flyover Warsaw (Vistula at Cytadela)
- Flyover Kraków (Wawel Hill)
The aircraft and the thank‑you
The three jets are the first of 32 F‑35A Lightning II fighters Poland ordered under a $4.6 billion contract signed in early 2020. Built by Lockheed Martin, they carry the name Husarz in Polish service.
(Polish taxpayers bought these planes), Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz said, framing the flyover as a gesture of appreciation for public support of defence spending. Deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk struck the same note:To polscy podatnicy kupili te samoloty
This is a form of thanks to Polish taxpayers, who bought these planes and agree that we can spend such large sums on defence.
Fleet status and training
Eight F‑35s have been built for Poland so far. The first Polish‑bound jet took to the air in December 2024, and the initial two pilots finished their training in the United States in May 2025. The three aircraft that reached the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask in late May 2026 are the first stationed on Polish soil; the other five completed remain in the US for air‑crew training. Poland expects all 32 jets by 2030, though some sources mention 2029 as the end of deliveries.
- In Poland (Łask)
- 3 aircraft
- In US (training)
- 5 aircraft
- On order
- 24 aircraft
Ceremony in Łask
An official acceptance ceremony is scheduled at the Łask base at 11:00 the same day. President Karol Nawrocki is expected to attend, according to local media.
