The United States has completed assembly of the first fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II multirole fighter jet for the Polish Air Force.

The aircraft rolled off the assembly line at Lockheed Martin’s plant in Texas in late July 2024.

The fighter jet, with the serial number AZ-01, has moved to the next stage of work, which includes applying a special stealth coating and final painting.

All work is likely to be completed in the coming weeks, with a presentation ceremony scheduled for August 28.

The Polish Air Force has officially named the fighter jet F-35A Husarz (Polish for “hussar”).

Production of the first combat aircraft of this type for Poland began in April 2023 in Georgia.

Under a January 2020 agreement, Poland will receive 32 F-35As in the Block 4 version with the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) package, marking the most significant evolution of the F-35’s capabilities to date.

The first six aircraft are to be built in 2024-2025, with deliveries continuing through 2030.

Initially, the aircraft will be based at Ebbing Air Force Base in Arkansas, where Polish pilots will be trained.

The first Polish F-35A Husarz is expected to arrive in Poland at the Lask air base in 2026.

The contract is worth $4.6 billion and includes training for 24 pilots and 90 ground personnel.

In 2021, Poland began the process of training future pilots for the F-35A 5th generation multifunctional combat aircraft.