Revealed: Countries with the Most F-35 Lightning II Stealth Fighter Jets
Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 Lightning II is an exceptional American fighter jet developed with assistance from BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman. It first flew in 2016 and is rapidly being incorporated into fleets worldwide. What sets the F-35 Lightning II apart is its unparalleled features, such as stealth, maneuverability, and the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without afterburners. Additionally, it is highly versatile in its weapons load and capable of carrying up to 18,000 pounds of munitions.
There are three versions: F-35A (conventional), F-35B (STOVL), and F-35C (carrier-based). The cost of an F-35 varies depending on the variant. The standard F-35A costs around $110 million per unit. The F-35B is slightly more expensive, at approximately $136 million each, but it can take off from short runways and land vertically. Meanwhile, the F-35C, designed for aircraft carriers, costs roughly $117 million per unit.
Only 20 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States), all allies of the US, have ordered or are using these jets. Lockheed Martin has been producing around 150 units annually.
The F-35 Lightning II can detect, track, and engage enemy systems from long distances while guiding friendly assets to various targets. Additionally, it excels in a wide range of mission types, including Strategic Attack, Air Superiority, Close Air Support, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (DEAD).
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is the most expensive weapon system program to come out of the Department of Defense (DoD), with an estimated cost of $2trn to operate 2,470 planned aircraft through to 2088.
Countries with the Most F-35 Lightning II Stealth Fighter Jets
| Country | Active aircraft | Aircraft on order | Military branches | Variant(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 553 | 1855 | United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy | F-35A/B/C |
| Australia | 63 | 37 | Royal Australian Air Force | F-35A |
| South Korea | 40 | 25 | Republic of Korea Air Force | F-35A |
| Norway | 40 | 12 | Royal Norwegian Air Force | F-35A |
| Israel | 39 | 36 | Israel Air and Space Force | F-35I |
| Japan | 36 | 110 | Japan Air Self-Defence Force | F-35A/B |
| Netherlands | 34 | 18 | Royal Netherlands Air Force | F-35A |
| United Kingdom | 29 | 105 | Royal Air Force | F-35B |
| Italy | 25 | 65 | Italian Air Force, Italian Navy | F-35A/B |
| Denmark | 10 | 17 | Royal Danish Air Force | F-35A |
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