F-35 fighters in Poland. When will they arrive at the airport in Świdwin?

In a year and a half, four modern hangars will be built at the Świdwin military airport, which will be a place for stationing F-35 fighters. Erbud, one of the leading Polish construction companies, announced the signing of a contract for the implementation of this investment.

Erbud announced that on October 8, 2024, a contract worth PLN 31.1 million net was concluded for the construction of QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) infrastructure for the F-35. The investment includes the creation of four semi-heavy hangars and a building for a pair of fighter planes that will be stationed at the airport in Świdwin.

New hangars for the F-35 in Świdwin

Completion of construction works is scheduled for January 1, 2026. Military airport in Świdwin, where there is, among others, The 1st Tactical Aviation Wing and the 21st Tactical Aviation Base will become a key location for stationing the latest machines in the Polish Air Force. It is here, near Łask, that F-35 fighters, which Poland purchased from the United States, will be stationed.

Poland has ordered 32 F-35A fighters from the USA, which will gradually be delivered to our country. The first units are to be delivered at the turn of 2025 and 2026. Then, by 2030, four to six aircraft will arrive in Poland annually. The F-35 will replace older models, such as the F-16, and will be responsible for, among others, for quick response missions (QRA).

The QRA function in the modern air force

QRA, or the quick response system, requires constant readiness of aircraft to take off in a short time to be able to intercept unidentified aircraft in the country’s airspace. In Poland, this role will be taken over by F-35 fighters, just like in other European countries, such as Norway or the Netherlands, where F-35s replaced the previously used F-16s.