Polish skies secured: NATO teams up F‑16s, F‑35s in joint 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, as stated in the communiqué, "together we are stronger."
Polish pilots, with the support of Norwegians, are guarding the skies over Poland within NATO. As communicated by the General Command of the Armed Forces on X, the F-16s, alongside F-35s, are kept at the ready, making "together we are stronger."
Norwegian F-35s alongside Polish F-16s
Let's recall that Norwegian equipment appeared in Poland at the beginning of January 2025. It was then that F-35s from Norway landed at the Poznań 31st Tactical Air Base. The Norwegian mission, aimed at supporting NATO, is expected to last at least until Easter. In addition to the F-35 fighters, the NASAMS air defense system also appeared in Poland.
"Together we are stronger." F-16 and F-35 in pictures
The F-16s currently guarding the Polish skies alongside F-35s form the backbone of Polish combat aviation. They will remain so until the more modern F-35s are inducted into the Polish army. However, these fighters will only begin service in 2026. Let's also recall that the F-16s celebrated their 18th anniversary of service in the Polish air force in 2024. They are produced by the American corporation Lockheed Martin. The F-16 has a length close to 49 feet, with a wingspan of nearly 33 feet. Its maximum speed exceeds Mach 2, approximately 1,300 mph.
The F-35, on the other hand, represents the fifth generation of fighters, also developed by the American corporation Lockheed Martin. It is an aircraft designed to be operated by a single pilot, featuring a length of nearly 52 feet, a height of about 15 feet, and a wingspan measuring over 33 feet. Its advanced stealth technology makes it difficult to detect by radar systems. This aircraft has the capability to carry advanced weaponry.
