Poland Rules Out F-15EX Despite Inclusion in US Contract

Poland does not plan to acquire Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighters despite being named among Foreign Military Sales customers covered by a new $131.23 billion US F-15 contracting vehicle. The Polish Ministry of National Defense clarified its position after the US Department of War listed Poland alongside six existing or prospective F-15 operators in the agreement awarded to Boeing on August 24.

The Polish response closes off, at least under current plans, speculation that Warsaw's appearance in the US contract represented a procurement decision. Poland is nevertheless preparing further expansion of its combat aircraft fleet as it introduces the F-35A Husarz alongside its F-16C/D and FA-50 fleets.

Poland's F-15 listing does not represent an aircraft order

The United States awarded The Boeing Company an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $131.23 billion for the F-15 Eagle Crest program on August 24. The agreement covers aircraft production, systems integration, modernization, upgrades, retrofits, sustainment and depot maintenance capabilities.

Work under the framework is expected to continue through August 2037. The initial ordering period runs through August 24, 2031, with an option to extend ordering through August 24, 2036.

The US announcement lists Foreign Military Sales activity involving Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Poland. Poland's inclusion attracted attention because Warsaw does not currently operate an F-15 variant and has not announced an F-15EX procurement program.

The Polish Ministry of National Defense subsequently told Defence24 that the Polish Armed Forces do not plan to acquire F-15EX aircraft. The ministry also indicated that Poland's inclusion in the framework neither represents a procurement decision nor the launch of an acquisition process.

No Polish F-15EX Foreign Military Sales case is currently listed by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, according to Defence24's review of the agency's records.

$131.23 billion is a contract ceiling, not a Polish F-15 deal

The value attached to the Eagle Crest agreement also requires qualification.

The $131.23 billion figure represents the maximum ceiling of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracting vehicle rather than money committed immediately to Boeing. Only $343,740 in fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funding was obligated when the agreement was awarded.

The framework allows orders for production and support requirements to be placed over an extended period. It therefore should not be interpreted as a $131.23 billion purchase of new F-15EX aircraft or as confirmation that every foreign country named in the notice has ordered the fighter.

For Poland specifically, the distinction is decisive. Warsaw's presence in the Foreign Military Sales portion creates no confirmed aircraft quantity, contract value or delivery schedule, and the Polish government says no F-15EX procurement process has started.

Poland still plans to expand its fighter force

The rejection of an F-15EX acquisition does not eliminate Poland's requirement for additional combat aircraft.

Poland currently operates F-16C/D fighters and FA-50 aircraft while introducing 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Husarz fighters. The first four F-35As were scheduled to arrive in Poland during 2026 as Warsaw builds infrastructure and operational capacity for the new fleet.

Polish planning has also called for two additional fighter squadrons. Defence24 reported in June that Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk confirmed plans to acquire two additional squadrons of F-35A aircraft by 2039.

That direction would favor expansion of an aircraft type already entering Polish service rather than introducing another fighter family.

A fourth combat aircraft family would also create a broader fleet structure alongside the F-16, F-35 and FA-50. Any such acquisition would bring additional requirements for training, maintenance, infrastructure, weapons integration and logistics.

Boeing has promoted the F-15EX in Poland

Poland has nevertheless been part of Boeing's F-15EX marketing efforts.

Boeing has promoted the aircraft as an option for Polish requirements, and then-Air Force Inspector Major General Ireneusz Nowak flew an F-15EX during a visit to Boeing facilities in the United States in autumn 2025.

The F-15EX is a twin-engine fighter derived from the F-15 family but equipped with new mission systems, digital flight controls, an active electronically scanned array radar and an updated electronic warfare suite. Boeing lists a maximum payload of 29,500 pounds, or approximately 13,381 kilograms, and a maximum speed of Mach 2.5.

Those characteristics make the aircraft substantially different in mission profile from the stealth-focused F-35A. Boeing positions the F-15EX around large weapons capacity, range and the ability to employ stand-off weapons.

For Warsaw, however, capability alone does not establish a procurement program. The Ministry of National Defense's clarification indicates that the F-15EX is not currently part of the Polish Armed Forces' acquisition plan.

The more consequential question is therefore not whether the new US framework confirms a Polish F-15EX purchase. It does not. The issue is how Poland will structure the two additional fighter squadrons it wants to add as its F-35A fleet enters operational service.

Poland and F-15EX: key questions

Is Poland buying the F-15EX?

No confirmed Polish F-15EX procurement exists. The Polish Ministry of National Defense said the Armed Forces do not plan to acquire the aircraft and that Poland's appearance in the US framework does not indicate a procurement decision.

Why is Poland listed in the US F-15 contract?

The US contracting notice identifies Poland among countries associated with Foreign Military Sales activity under the broader F-15 Eagle Crest contracting vehicle. The notice itself does not specify a Polish aircraft order, quantity or delivery schedule.

Is Boeing receiving $131.23 billion for new F-15EX fighters?

Not immediately. $131.23 billion is the ceiling of the long-term indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract covering production, modernization, upgrades, sustainment and other F-15 work through 2037.

What fighters could Poland acquire next?

Poland plans additional fighter squadrons while already operating F-16 and FA-50 aircraft and introducing the F-35A. Polish officials have indicated plans for two additional F-35A squadrons by 2039, while no F-15EX acquisition process has been launched.