Poland will receive a new $4 billion loan from the United States through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, strengthening defence ties between the two NATO allies as Warsaw continues a major military modernisation drive.
The announcement was made on Friday by U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno during a ceremony marking the inaugural flight of Poland's newly acquired F-35 fighter jets.
Speaking to Poland's PAP news agency, DiNanno said the additional funding would increase the total amount of U.S. military financing available to Poland to $20 billion.
The loan is intended to support future arms purchases as Warsaw continues an extensive military modernisation programme amid growing security concerns in Eastern Europe.
The announcement coincided with the first flight of Poland's F-35 fighter jets over the country, making Poland the first NATO member on the alliance's eastern flank to operate the fifth-generation aircraft.
Warsaw signed a $4.6 billion agreement with the United States in 2020 to purchase 32 F-35 jets. The first three aircraft arrived in May, with all deliveries expected to be completed by 2029.
Polish officials view the aircraft as a major enhancement to national defence capabilities. The F-35 combines stealth technology with advanced sensors capable of collecting and sharing battlefield information across multiple military platforms.
The event was attended by Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and U.S. Under Secretary Thomas DiNanno.
The ceremony highlighted growing defence cooperation between Washington and Warsaw at a time when Poland is significantly increasing military spending and expanding its armed forces.
During the event, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland intends to further expand its fleet of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
"In the armed forces development programme, we have included two additional squadrons of 5th-generation F-35 aircraft to strengthen the military," he said.
The proposed expansion underscores Poland's long-term strategy to modernise its military and bolster deterrence capabilities as regional security challenges continue to evolve.
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