aircraft procured will also feature a drag chute installed
between the fins. The drag chute system has been developed
for the F-35 as a response to the Royal Norwegian Air Force's
requirement. Up until now, Norway has been the only customer.
Poland also decided to procure the optional "sidekick" bundle
allowing the jets to carry up to six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles,
instead of four.
The first four jets are to be handed off to Poland in 2024.
The F-35A would initially be stationed at Luke AFB, where an
international pilot/ground crews training center is located,
for the personnel getting ready to operate the aircraft. Until
2026 Poland is to receive 16 jets in total - this is to make it
possible to replace the aircraft of a single squadron. Also,
8-12 airframes are planned to be relocated to Poland in 2026.
Another 16 examples are to be handed off by 2030.
Ultimately the contract has a price-tag of 4.6 bn. dollars.
It includes, alongside the aircraft, a training, and logistics
package as well. The logistics package also includes the
integrated maintenance support system also known as ODIN
(Operational Data Integrated Network), along with several
AVIATION
