Poland on Friday finalised an agreement to buy dozens of F-35 fighter jets from the US in a multi-billion dollar deal aimed at revamping its air force and further strengthening close ties with Washington. The United States in September approved the $4.6-billion (4.2-million-euro) contract to deliver a total of 32 aircraft to NATO ally Poland.

The first batch is expected to be delivered within four years and will replace old Soviet models. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Poland's "smart decision" to buy what he termed the "world's most advanced fighter aircraft," in a Twitter post on Friday, adding this would "further our partnership and bolster its (Poland's) collective & self defence."