Lockheed Martin has announced that they have delivered the 1,000th F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet, reaching a significant milestone. This achievement once again confirms the F-35 as the most widely used fifth-generation fighter in the world, surpassing the total number of all other fifth-generation fighters.
On July 22, Frank A. St. John, the Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin (referred to as Lockheed), stated in an interview with CNBC that they have delivered the 1,000th F-35 fighter jet, marking a milestone, and they hope to deliver more F-35 jets in the future.
The F-35 program has garnered global attention, with Lockheed receiving numerous international orders in addition to orders from the Pentagon. Currently, the United States remains the largest customer for the F-35, with orders covering all three variants: the Air Force’s F-35A, the Marine Corps’ F-35B, and the Navy’s F-35C. The Air Force alone plans to procure over 1,700 F-35As.
St. John expressed pride in this achievement during his speech at the Farnborough International Airshow, emphasizing the continuous effort to meet delivery targets. Lockheed Martin plans to deliver 75 to 110 F-35s in the year 2024.
Greek government officials announced on Thursday (July 25) that Greece has officially approved the proposal to purchase 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets from the United States as part of its major defense reform.
According to the Associated Press, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated during a visit to a military air force base near Athens that the procurement will create a “strong deterrent force in our region.” He mentioned that the acceptance letter for this deal has been signed and sent to the United States.
The initial batch of 20 F-35s is expected to begin delivery in 2028, with Greece retaining the option to purchase an additional 20 F-35s.
Bridget Lauderdale, Vice President and F-35 Program General Manager at Lockheed Martin, stated that Greece has become the 19th country to join the F-35 program.
The U.S. State Department approved this deal in January of this year, which may potentially involve the sale of up to 40 F-35 fighter jets, along with 42 engines and related services and equipment, including secure communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, training, logistics, and maintenance support.
Mike Schmidt, Director of the F-35 Joint Program Office and Program Executive Officer, expressed appreciation for Greece’s participation in the F-35 program. He mentioned that the F-35 will provide excellent capabilities for the Hellenic Air Force, enhance interoperability among allies, and bolster the combat effectiveness of all NATO forces.
Lockheed Martin further emphasized the role of the F-35 as a cornerstone of NATO’s air power.
In a statement, Lockheed Martin said, “The F-35 is rapidly becoming the standard fighter for NATO, providing unmatched interoperability with NATO and other allied assets. This capability is a significant advantage for the United States and its allies, ensuring decades of strategic superiority.”
By the 2030s, over 600 F-35s are expected to be operational in more than ten European countries, including two complete U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at UK air force bases.
In response to security challenges posed by China, North Korea, and Russia, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on July 3 that it will deploy 48 F-35A stealth fighter jets for the first time at the Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Pentagon stated that, in addition to replacing the 36 Air Force F-16 fighters deployed at the Misawa base with 48 F-35A stealth fighters, the U.S. military will also deploy 36 new F-15EX aircraft at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa to replace the 48 retiring F-15 fighters.
The Pentagon noted, “This modernization effort will be implemented in the coming years, with an estimated investment exceeding $10 billion to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, enhance regional deterrence, and consolidate peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The U.S. and its allies, including Japan, have been enhancing their military capabilities in recent years to counter the increasing threats from China in the South China Sea and East China Sea and to deter any attempts by China to take over Taiwan.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II is a versatile fighter jet designed to replace several aging aircraft in the U.S. military and among allied forces.
The F-35 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine. The dimensions of the aircraft vary by variant: the wingspan is 10.40 meters for the F-35A and F-35B, 13.10 meters for the F-35C, with a standard length of 15.85 meters and a height of 5.28 meters. The wing area of the F-35C is 57.6 square meters, larger than the wing areas of the F-35A and F-35B at 42.7 square meters.
In terms of performance, the F-35 can reach a maximum speed of over 1,700 kilometers per hour (1.6 Mach) at cruise altitude, with a ceiling of 18,500 meters. The range varies by variant: 1080 kilometers for the F-35A, 869 kilometers for the F-35B, and 1138 kilometers for the F-35C. The aircraft’s endurance exceeds 2800 kilometers, with a thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) greater than 1. The F-35A can withstand loads of up to +9G, while the F-35B and F-35C can withstand up to +7G.
In terms of armament, the F-35 is equipped with a GAU-22 25mm cannon with 180 rounds (installed in external pods for the F-35B). It features two internal bays, each with two hardpoints capable of carrying up to 2800 kilograms of weapons. External hardpoints can carry an additional 6800 kilograms of weapons on six hardpoints (Beast mode). The advanced avionics of the F-35 include the AN/APG-81 radar and the AN/AAQ-37 infrared sensor, providing cutting-edge detection and combat capabilities.
The F-35’s versatility, advanced stealth and detection capabilities, and ability to perform a variety of missions have made it highly sought after. The aircraft can carry out tasks ranging from air superiority to ground strikes, reconnaissance operations, and electronic warfare.
The delivery of the 1,000th F-35 confirms the critical role of this fighter jet in modern air combat. The dominance of the F-35 is not only reflected in production numbers but also in its widespread adoption by U.S. allies and partners, ensuring that the F-35 will remain a key fighter in global air defense in the years to come.
Current members of the F-35 program include the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.