MSPO 2019 : Lockheed Martin presents F-35A the future fighter of Polish Air Forces.

At MSPO 2019 exhibition Lockheed Martin presents for the first time in Poland, the full-size mockup of the F-35A fighter aircraft. American defence company Lockheed Martin will supply 32 F-35 fighter jets to Poland by offering to deliver new-generation Block 4 versions and ensuring that selected components for the jets are produced by Polish manufacturers.

Full-size model F-35A Lightning II (Picture source Army Recognition)

One of the biggest attractions of the American company's exhibition this year is the full-size model of the F-35A fighter aircraft. The presentation of the F-35 model and air and missile defence systems are, of course, related to the Polish modernization programs of Harpy and Wisla. As part of the former, it is planned to purchase machines of this type, while the Wisla program acquires IBCS / Patriot batteries with PAC-3 MSE missiles. Lockheed Martin also submitted an offer regarding the second phase of the Vistula.

In May, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said his ministry sent a letter of request to the U.S. regarding Poland’s plan to acquire the F-35. Warsaw aimed to replace it's Air Force’s outdated, Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-22 and Mikoyan MiG-29 jets with fifth-generation fighters. Polish companies could be approved as supplier partners and could make parts not only for the Polish aircraft but also for those supplied to other countries, such as the U.S. or Japan.

According to this contract, Polish Forces are supposed to receive Block 4 aircraft. This version will include a new computer, additional weapons and systems, and it will be able to be fitted with six missiles instead of four,” Greg Ulmer, the vice president and general manager responsible for the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin, told Defense News at the MSPO defence industry show.

The Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed for many missions with advanced, integrated sensors built into every aircraft. Missions that were traditionally performed by small numbers of specialized aircraft, such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and electronic attack missions can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s, bringing new capabilities to many allied forces.