Poland will organise the production of components for US-made F-16 fighter jets.

Janusz Zakręcki, Director of the PZL Mielec plant, says in an interview with PAP Polish news outlet that PZL Mielec's ultimate plan is to produce 70-80% of the fighter body structure by the end of next year.

He noted that the production of F-16 Block 70/72 structures is carried out in a modernised workshop at PZL Mielec, which had previously produced military jets.

"I am pleased that Lockheed Martin has recognised the competence of our employees and the potential of this location and decided to locate the production of F-16 structures here. This is also proof of Lockheed Martin's support for the development of PZL Mielec and the industrial potential of our country," he said.

Earlier, the authorities of the Polish city of Radom reported that they would address the Polish military and the Defence Ministry for explanations regarding the training flights of F-16s because residents of a Polish town were frightened by the sound of F-16s crossing the sound barrier.

On 15 August, a major military parade marked the Day of the Polish Army in Warsaw, the largest since the end of the Cold War in the last century.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has made strengthening the armed forces a priority for the Polish government. It has promised to double the armed forces’ size to 300,000 troops and spend about 4% of this year's GDP on defence.