In 2025, the United States produced a record number of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, confirming the program’s industrial and operational maturity. The information was published by Lockheed Martin.
During the past year, customers took delivery of 191 combat aircraft, surpassing the previous record of 142 units delivered. According to the company, annual production of the F-35 is currently five times that of any other allied fighter jet, demonstrating the scale of the program.
+ Norwegian F-35 fighter jets intercept a Russian Tu-142 over the Norwegian Sea
Today, the global F-35 Lightning II fleet numbers approximately 1,300 aircraft in active service and continues to expand. In March 2025, the type crossed the 1 million cumulative flight hours mark, a significant milestone for the fifth-generation fighter, which is still in the phase of international expansion.
In addition to industrial progress, the F-35 was also deployed in real combat operations in 2025. Highlights include participating in the suppression of Iranian air defenses during the so-called Operation Midnight Hammer. During the same period, nearly 5,000 accident-free flight hours were also recorded during the deployment of the F-35B variant to the United States Marine Corps.
Another event mentioned was the interception of Russian drones over Poland, which marked the first deployment of the F-35 against threats in the airspace of NATO allied countries.
International demand for this fighter aircraft continued to grow in 2025. Italy and Denmark announced expansions of their programs, adding 25 and 16 aircraft respectively. In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin entered into a final agreement for the 18 and 19 production series, which calls for the production of up to 296 aircraft in a contract worth $24 billion, the largest in program history.
As part of the global expansion, Finland’s first fifth-generation multirole fighter, the F-35A, made its first flight on 8 December 2025, boosting the entry of new users into the system.
Source and images: Lockheed Martin. This content was created with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
