The U.S. State Department approved the sale to Poland of 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and support at an estimated cost of $6.5 billion. The F-35s will replace the Polish air force’s Russia-designed MiG-29 and Su-22 fleet.
The proposed order covers 32 of the conventional-takeoff-and-landing F-35A variants, with an estimated price tag of $6.5 billion seeing as according to the current unit cost of an F-35A is around $89.2 million.
Poland which is NATO member had sought the purchase of the fighter jets and complimentary support in its effort to enhance her air force’s capability. The jets will enhance the European country’s air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability.
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.
