Norwegian F‑35s bolster NATO air defense in Poland
On Wednesday, January 8, Norwegian F-35 fighter jets landed at the Poznań-Krzesiny airport, home to the 31st Tactical Air Base, with an "important mission," according to a military announcement.
As stated in the announcement by the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny on their Facebook page, "Norwegian F-35 fighter jets landed in Poznań as part of Norway's contribution to NATO's integrated air and missile defence." The aircraft will be ready to support the alliance at least until Easter, as their mission to protect the logistics hub in Rzeszów is set to last that long.
Fighter jets and soldiers from Norway in Poland
Alongside the fighter jets, 100 Norwegian soldiers will also arrive in Poland. They will be stationed in Rzeszów and are set to support the troops currently operating in the region and oversee the security of transports. This is a crucial task, as a hub operates in Rzeszów, which receives equipment destined for Ukraine.
Colonel Ole Marius Tørrisplass, commander of the 132nd Air Wing, highlighted the Norwegian mission's significance in Poland. "It is a very important task for the Norwegian Armed Forces. The capacity and readiness to support the NATO alliance in challenging times demonstrate our strength," reads the statement. Tørrisplass adds that the Norwegian units are well-prepared to support NATO.
F-35 fighter jets
Let us recall that the F-35 fighter jets that landed in Poznań are the same aircraft ordered by Poland in 2020. An agreement from a few years ago, valued at 4.6 billion dollars, concerns the purchase of 32 multi-role fifth-generation F-35A fighters. Along with them, Poland will receive training and logistics packages. The first deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2026.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet created by Lockheed Martin. It is a single-pilot aircraft, with dimensions of approximately 16 metres in length, 4 metres in height, and 11 metres in wingspan. This fighter jet utilises stealth technology, making it difficult for radars to detect. The F-35 is capable of carrying modern weaponry. In the case of the Polish aircraft, they are expected to be equipped with air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X Sidewinder, air-to-ground missiles AGM-154C JSOW, and guided bombs like Paveway and JDAM.
