Major Missile Purchase
This week, Poland signed a significant agreement worth $745 million for the acquisition of 200 AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range) missiles, manufactured by Northrop Grumman. These advanced weapons will enhance the capabilities of Poland’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2035.
Strategic Significance of the Agreement
During the signing ceremony on January 28, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz hailed the agreement as a “breakthrough purchase,” emphasizing its role in allowing Poland to “effectively use all the capabilities of these most modern aircraft.”
With a range exceeding 200 kilometers, the AARGM-ER provides Poland with a long-range standoff capability to counter anti-access, area-denial (A2AD) systems posed by possible adversaries, particularly Russia.
Enhancing Air Force Capabilities
Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, the general inspector of the Polish Air Force, described the A2AD system as a network of anti-aircraft defenses, underscoring the significance of acquiring missiles that can disable control radars of such systems. He noted, “The F-35, combined with its stealth technology, will now have armament that allows the elimination of the control radars,” thus equipping the aircraft with the right tools for future operational readiness.
Poland Joins an Exclusive Group
The acquisition marks Poland’s entry into an exclusive group of AARGM-ER missile users, including the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, and Australia. “Poland is becoming a leader in implementing modern weapons,” Nowak remarked, affirming that this purchase not only enhances operational and combat capabilities but also strengthens Poland’s position in Central-Eastern Europe.
Previous Sales and Future Considerations
The potential Foreign Military Sale of AARGM-ER missiles was approved by the U.S. in April 2024, initially covering 360 missiles at an estimated cost of $1.275 billion. While final deals may not reflect initial announcements, Poland is actively considering further advanced weaponry for its F-35s, such as JSM anti-ship or land attack cruise missiles and GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bombs, as outlined by Lt. Col. Łukasz Treder.
Treder, part of the Polish Air Force’s F-35 implementation team, noted that the specific missions for the F-35 jets would depend on NATO guidelines and national needs, stressing that utilizing the aircraft solely for Quick Reaction Alert missions would underutilize their combat potential.
F-35 Acquisition and Training Milestones
The first Polish F-35A, named Husarz (AZ-02), successfully flew on December 2, 2024, with subsequent flights for additional units occurring shortly afterward. A total of six F-35s are scheduled for delivery to Poland in 2025, with 14 slated for 2026, followed by four each year from 2027 to 2029.
The pilot training for the F-35s, under the Foreign Military Sales program, will be conducted by the Air Force’s 85th Fighter Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Nebraska. Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges highlighted the significance of the F-35’s arrival, noting it as a pivotal milestone for Poland, the U.S., and allied nations training on the advanced fighter.
