Poland advances air fleet modernisation as NATO steps up eastern flank drills

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 21, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-21-1230
Poland advances air fleet modernisation as NATO steps up eastern flank drills
Photo: TVP info

Poland is advancing long-term air modernisation plans, exploring additional fighter and transport procurements alongside increased NATO air activity over its territory.

Poland is moving forward with comprehensive air defence modernisation plans while hosting intensified allied aerial operations over its territory. Polish defence officials have outlined long-term procurement considerations that include potential future acquisitions of additional F-35 fighter jets alongside ongoing evaluations to procure Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft to replace aging C-130 Hercules planes.

Simultaneously, the Polish military reported an uptick in allied air presence under NATO's Eastern Sentry operation, aimed at strengthening vigilance across the alliance's eastern flank. These operational developments follow formal industrial agreements between Polish aviation plant WZL-1 and Boeing to establish an authorised maintenance hub in Łódź capable of servicing at least 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

Sources: Defence24, Money, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

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