Poland will purchase 200 AIM-120D missiles from the United States, which will become a key element of the armament for the latest F-35 fighters. As the head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized, Poland joins the group of European countries using this type of technology, at the same time acquiring its most advanced version.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz noted, that the agreement is proof of strong ties between Warsaw and Washington. The minister said that Poland is a “transatlantic”, connecting European and American relations.
In the Deputy Prime Minister's opinion, such agreements show that the Polish-American alliance is based not only on declarations, but also on specific actions, such as the purchase of military equipment and access to the latest technologies. Kosiniak-Kamysz recalled that Poland had previously acquired F-35 aircraft and the IBCS air defense control system from the United States, and talks were currently underway on increasing the number of American troops stationed in Poland, whose presence is currently approximately 10,000. soldiers.
The Minister of National Defense also drew attention to the fruitful cooperation between the Polish and American armed forces. In his opinion, these relations contribute to strengthening Poland's position as one of the key US allies in Europe and NATO. “Today we can call ourselves the strongest ally of the United States in Europe,” Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized.
AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles. The key weapon of the Polish F-35
AMRAAM are medium-range air-to-air missiles that can reach a distance of up to 180 km. They are a key element of NATO aviation armament, including F-35 fighters. It is worth recalling that Dutch F-35s armed with these missiles participated in a mission in September to intercept Russian drones that violated Polish airspace. In April, the US Department of State agreed to sell 400 AMRAAM missiles to Poland for the amount of USD 1.3 billion.
Read also: The army received an anti-aircraft missile and artillery system. Head of the Ministry of National Defense: we are building defense
The first Polish F-35s are to be delivered to the country in 2026, and ultimately the Polish Air Force is to receive 32 machines. These planes, alongside the F-16, will constitute the basis of Polish combat aviation. The F-35 is the first multi-role aircraft in the history of Polish aviation with stealth technology, which makes it difficult to detect by the enemy. Currently, the Polish Air Force has AMRAAM missiles in the older C version, which are used by F-16 fighters.
