Polish skies defended: F‑16s and F‑35s in joint NATO mission
"Polish and Norwegian pilots are guarding the Polish skies under NATO," reports the General Command of the Armed Forces on X. F-16 and F-35 fighters are flying over Poland, underscoring the message in the communiqué, "Together we are stronger."
Polish pilots, with the support of Norwegians, are safeguarding the skies over Poland under NATO. As communicated by the General Command of the Armed Forces on X, the F-16s and F-35s are on standby, emphasizing "Together we are stronger."
Norwegian F-35s alongside Polish F-16s
It's notable that Norwegian equipment arrived in Poland at the start of January 2025. At that time, F-35s from Norway landed at the Poznań 31st Tactical Air Base. The Norwegian mission, aimed at supporting NATO, is anticipated to continue at least until Easter. Alongside the F-35 fighters, the NASAMS air defence system has also been established in Poland.
"Together we are stronger." F-16 and F-35 in pictures
The F-16s currently protecting the Polish skies along with F-35s form the core of Polish combat aviation. They will continue in this role until the more advanced F-35s are integrated into the Polish military. However, these newer fighters will only start service in 2026. It's also worth noting that the F-16s celebrated their 18th anniversary of service in the Polish air force in 2024. They are manufactured by the American corporation Lockheed Martin. The F-16 has a length of approximately 15 metres, with a wingspan of about 10 metres. Its maximum speed exceeds Mach 2, roughly 2,100 km/h.
The F-35, in contrast, represents the fifth generation of fighters, also developed by the American corporation Lockheed Martin. It is an aircraft designed for operation by a single pilot, featuring a length of around 16 metres, a height of about 5 metres, and a wingspan measuring over 10 metres. Its advanced stealth technology makes it difficult to detect by radar systems. This aircraft has the capability to carry advanced weaponry.
