As tensions continue to simmer in Eastern Europe, Lockheed Martin has unveiled Poland’s first F-35 Lightning II aircraft, named “Husarz,” paying homage to Eastern Europe’s legendary Winged Hussar cavalry.

The first Polish Air Force F-35A, designated AZ-01, was formally unveiled on August 28 in front of Polish Secretary of State Paweł Bejda, Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk, and members of the Polish Air Force command staff at a roll-out ceremony held at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas.

The Polish Air Force is expected to receive the first aircraft, AZ-01, in December this year. The aircraft will be initially deployed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where Polish pilots will be trained. The first batch of F-35s is expected to reach Poland in 2026, with the entire fleet anticipated to be delivered by 2030.

Marking the landmark occasion of the aircraft’s first grand reveal, Major General Ireneusz Nowak, Inspector of the Polish Air Force, said, “Over more than 100 years of the Polish Air Force, there have been many generations of pilots and aircraft. I am proud to be part of history today, introducing the F-35 as the next generation, which will protect and defend Poland’s future for many years. We are joining a strong coalition of 5th generation fighters across Europe, bolstering air superiority through allied deterrence.”

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The name “Husarz” assigned to the aircraft is derived from Poland’s rich military heritage, honoring the famed Hussars, a cavalry unit celebrated for its exceptional prowess and bravery. Lockheed Martin released a video featuring the inaugural Polish F-35A alongside imagery of a cavalry soldier, aiming to pay tribute to this distinguished cavalry unit.

The unveiling of the jet represents a major breakthrough for Poland, which has been at the forefront of military modernization in Eastern Europe, close to the theatre of the Ukraine war.

In late 2018, Poland accelerated its initiative to acquire a new fighter aircraft to urgently replace its aging Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-22 Fitter combat jets. Consequently, in 2019, the nation commenced discussions with the United States regarding the procurement of F-35A variants, which are fifth-generation stealth aircraft capable of conventional takeoff and landing. The US approved the acquisition in the same year.

By January 2020, Poland announced its decision to purchase 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to modernize its air force and boost its defenses against potential regional threats, particularly from Russia. Two years later, the threat materialized more clearly when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

According to manufacturer Lockheed Martin, Polish F-35 warplanes will eventually be outfitted with Block 4 capabilities in addition to TR-3 systems.

In addition to the acquisition of the F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft, Poland has also purchased “several hundreds” of AGM-158B JASSM-ER cruise missiles and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. In recent times, the US also authorized additional purchases, including that of AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles and AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder missiles.

Poland is a European nation that maintains a varied fleet of fighter aircraft, which includes the American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons, the older Soviet-designed MiG-29 and Su-22, as well as the recently acquired South Korean FA-50 light attack fighters. Once the F-35 is fully integrated into the Polish Air Force, it is expected to serve as the cornerstone of the nation’s air power.

At present, the nation has prioritized the training of F-16 fighter pilots for conversion to the F-35. However, in due course, pilots of the Su-22 and MiG-29 will also receive training to operate the American fifth-generation aircraft, notwithstanding the intricate nature of the transition process.

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Ahead of the aircraft’s delivery, the Polish authorities conducted a public competition in April this year to come up with a local moniker for the fighter jet. The general staff posted competition advertisements on Facebook and X, inviting individuals to submit their ideas. The selection of the name ‘Husarz’ was announced by the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces on April 29.

Who Were the Legendary Hussars?

The name “Husarz,” which honors a legendary period in Polish military history, sticks out as the best option for Poland’s upcoming F-35s, which will become the workhorses of its Air Force. Originating as an elite cavalry corps in the 16th century, the Winged Hussars were renowned for their bravery and skillful combat.

The Winged Hussars, established in 1503 by the Polish parliament, represented the elite segment of Poland’s military forces. Selected from the ranks of the Polish nobility, these warriors epitomized the essence of bravery.

The Polish Hussars were a heavy cavalry corps that operated in Poland and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between 1503 and 1702. Their moniker comes from their enormous rear wings, which were meant to discourage the opposition when they launched a shocking charge.

The extravagant Hussar attire included gold-plated body armor, jackboots, burgonet or lobster-tailed pot helmets, and a variety of multipurpose weapons such as lances, long thrusting swords, sabers, pistols, carbines, maces, hatchets, war hammers, and horseman’s picks. The Lockheed Martin video showed an image of a Hussar soldier depicting the traditional cavalry.

Traditionally, the wings were constructed from raptor feathers, and the angelic structure was secured to the armor or saddle. It is noteworthy that the recently unveiled F-35 does not sport that color scheme.

General Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the Polish Armed Forces General Staff, confirmed that the Polish F-35s would not feature the traditional white-red checkerboard to enhance stealth capabilities. Instead, a gray-toned checkerboard design will be employed.

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For the Hussars, it was traditional for the unit to keep the color scheme red and white and to wear girdles made of tanned animal hide.

During the early 16th century, Serbian warriors in exile journeyed from Hungary to Poland as mercenaries, establishing the inaugural Hussar Corps, which consisted of light cavalry units. The unit was formally adopted by the Polish military, which converted it into heavy shock cavalry by enlisting soldiers from the Polish aristocracy after King Stephen Báthory.

The Hussars won multiple engagements against overwhelming odds, gaining respect in Polish military tradition. In the engagements of Kircholm (1605), Klushino (1610), and Khotyn (1673), the Hussar formation demonstrated its effectiveness against forces from Sweden, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. They achieved peak military power during the Siege of Vienna in 1683, when Hussar banners participated in the most significant cavalry charge in history, successfully repelling the Ottoman attack.

By winning more than 16 significant engagements against Ottoman and Russian forces, they established their reputation for bravery and tenacity. Until their formal dissolution in 1776, the Hussars were considered the best Polish cavalry unit.

From 1702, following their final engagement in the Battle of Kliszów, until 1776, the once formidable Hussars were relegated to ceremonial roles. Nevertheless, the stories of their valor endure, representing a significant chapter in Polish history.

The arrival of the inaugural Polish F-35A, named Husarz, represents a significant honor and a profound responsibility associated with the aircraft.

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