US EditionPentagon Slashes in Half Its Request for Air Force F-35s
- This week, the Pentagon sent Congress a procurement request cutting the Air Force's F-35A jet order from 48 to 24 aircraft, costing about $3.5 billion.
- The reduction complies with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to cut projected defense budgets by 8% each year over the next five years in response to ongoing fiscal constraints.
- The Navy plans to purchase 12 F-35 jets designed for aircraft carriers, a decrease from the 17 approved by Congress for the current fiscal year, while the Marines intend to acquire 11 aircraft, two fewer than their current funding level.
- Lockheed Martin’s stock fell over 6% on Wednesday as F-35 delays, including Technology Refresh 3 upgrades, contribute to program criticism and supplier disruption risks.
- Experts warn that halving F-35 purchases would disrupt the supply chain and harm Air Force modernization, though Congress may restore funding amid the roughly $2 trillion program.
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CBO report on F-35 availability, use and operating and support costs
Thursday, June 12, 2025The June 12, 2025 Congressional Budget Office report "analyzes the recent availability, use, and operating and support costs of F-35 fighter aircraft. As F-35s have aged, their availability and use have decreased and have been lower than those of other fighter aircraft of the same age." Featured: Related Documents Tags: F-35
The Fighter Jets with the Fastest Vertical Climb in the World, Ranked
The Pentagon previously planned to purchase 48 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. However, they recently cut this order in half; the U.S. military is now requesting only 24 of the technologically advanced fighters. Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program makes up 30% of its revenue, despite the fact that the company has faced delays in upgrading systems. A finalized government contract regarding the production and purchase of these planes is forthco…
Is the US quietly stepping back from the F-35 it wants India to buy?
The US Air Force has halved its F-35 orders to 24 jets this year. Canada’s F-35 acquisition cost is up nearly 50 per cent to C$27.7 billion. India, needing 35–40 jets annually, has only 31 squadrons operational against a sanctioned strength of 42, while China has inducted 435 combat aircraft in 10 years
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