US draws up $78bn-plan for 850 F-35 jets; eyes Air Force fleet of 1,509 fighters by 2035

The Pentagon has struck a 10-year framework with Lockheed Martin for at least 850 F-35 stealth fighters, in a deal aimed at expanding production, strengthening the supply chain and addressing persistent aircraft readiness problems.According to Defense News, the agreement, announced on October 22, remains subject to congressional approval and funding. It also includes spare parts, modification kits and sustainment support, while Lockheed Martin has pledged at least $7 billion in company-funded investments to support the programme.The framework targets an average of 85 aircraft annually for US forces over the next decade, in line with the Pentagon's fiscal 2027 procurement request. The planned production rate of 156 aircraft a year, meanwhile, includes orders for international customers, reflecting the F-35 programme's global scale.Reuters estimated the 10-year framework to be worth at least $78.2 billion, based on the F-35A's $92 million unit price, the cheapest of the three variants. The US Marine Corps' F-35B costs about $121 million per aircraft, while the US Navy's F-35C is priced at approximately $110 million.The final value will depend on the mix of variants, with prices also expected to rise due to inflation and labour costs, Reuters reported.The agreement comes as the US military struggles to keep its existing F-35 fleet operational. A Government Accountability Office report published in June found that the aircraft's mission-capable rate fell from 67 percent in fiscal 2021 to 44 percent in fiscal 2025.The proportion of time the jets could perform all their assigned missions declined from 38 percent to 25 percent over the same period.Lockheed Martin expects predictable orders for spare parts and maintenance support to help reduce repair delays and improve aircraft availability.US Air Force plans 1,509-fighter fleet by 2035The US Air Force aims to build a fleet of 1,509 combat-coded fighter aircraft by 2035, with the F-35A expected to become its largest fighter component as the service modernises its combat aviation capabilities.According to Defense News, the target was outlined in a force structure report submitted to Congress on October 16, 2026. The plan envisages the F-35A accounting for around 40 percent of the fleet, while the F-22 Raptor and its planned successor, the F-47, would together make up approximately 20 percent. F-15 and F-16 variants would account for the remaining 40 percent.The service also plans to field 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or autonomous drone wingmen, by 2032. These aircraft are not included in the 1,509-fighter target, although officials expect future advances in autonomous systems could change the number of crewed fighters required.