Sunday, April 2, 2023
 
 

Poland signs $4.6bn contract for US fighter jets

- Advertisement -

Poland signed a $4.6 billion deal with the United States for the purchase of 32 of its advanced F-35 fighter jets. The deal was signed by defense minister Mariusz Blaszczak and the US envoy to the country, Georgette Mosbacher, on 31 January at the Polish air force academy in Deblin.
The country’s president Andrzej Duda said it was an “exceptionally important day for Poland’s air force and for the security of Poland and of our part of Europe”. Poland’s strengthened relations with the US come at a time of increased Russian military activity.
Opposition politicians have criticized the purchase as too expensive. Recently, Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki said his country aims to create stronger ties with the US, and condemned the rise of anti-Americanisam in the European Union.
The delivery of the 32 F-35A multi-role combat aircraft is expected between 2024 and 2030. Poland will be the 10th NATO member to fly F-35 fighters.
Poland requested acquisition of the aircraft in May, with consent issued by the Department of State and by the US Congress. The country’s air force already has around 50 U.S. F-16 fighter jets. The stealth aircraft will replace Poland’s fleet of 28 MiG-29 jet fighter aircrafts, which were designed in the Soviet Union.

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Silicon Valley Bank financial contagion contained – for now

The world’s top policymakers and international financial leaders acted effectively in the days following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. They appear to have dealt positively with the risk of wider global financial contagion.

EU plan to centralize gas purchases near impossible to implement

The global gas supply market will be much tighter this year than it was in 2022. The need for the EU to buy more gas, especially more liquified natural gas, from elsewhere will be greater.

Don't miss

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Silicon Valley Bank financial contagion contained – for now

The world’s top policymakers and international financial leaders acted effectively in the days following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. They appear to have dealt positively with the risk of wider global financial contagion.

EU plan to centralize gas purchases near impossible to implement

The global gas supply market will be much tighter this year than it was in 2022. The need for the EU to buy more gas, especially more liquified natural gas, from elsewhere will be greater.

Africa’s porous borders promote transnational crimes rather than deeper integration

For positive continental regimes to succeed, there must be both conscious and concerted efforts, as well as political will, from all states to help eliminate transnational crimes while fostering integration across the whole of Africa through trade.

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Providing Ukraine with advanced Western fighters is a logical step towards battlefield success

While Ukraine may have weathered the storm of Russia’s initial onslaught and retaliated with a force and determination largely thought to have been beyond...

US & Philippines agree to ramp up defense cooperation

The US and Philippines announced on February 2 a substantial expansion of their existing military cooperation arrangements, increasing the number of facilities that American...

Putin threatens global security with renewed nuclear saber rattling

Putin's maniacal compulsion to start a nuclear war is not just a sinister ultimatum to world peace, it is simply mad.

Neutral but not neutered: Ireland’s security needs to be nurtured

The Irish people have been a beacon of light against darkness, hatred and genocide. But Ireland needs to do more to contribute to the dismantling of autocracies, the self-determination of peoples still shackled by remnant empires and the emancipation and empowerment of all underprivileged people. 

Poland is going its own way

The leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, continues to attack Germany, the main focus of his ire in Europe. Kaczynski...

The West’s past foreign policy mistakes have extended the Iranian regime’s lifespan

Middle Eastern misadventures have affected the West’s political psyche. With thousands dead and trillions wasted, any protracted military campaign abroad will be considered doomed to fail before it has even begun.

What do Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership mean for the alliance’s future innovations?

On May 18, Finland and Sweden officially applied for NATO membership––a markedly historical decision. While the two countries have long maintained military non-alignment positions,...