The U.S. Air Force plans to bed down 25 F-35As in fiscal 2026 as part of a plan to field an inventory of nearly 700 of these aircraft by the end of the decade. The Selected Acquisition Report from Dec. 31, 2023, outlines the acquisition plan through fiscal 2029, with expected losses of between two to four F-35As per year for a total inventory of 664 aircraft. The Pentagon intends for the fleet of F-35s to replace legacy aircraft and complement other aircraft in the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy.
In fiscal 2026, the report shows a plan to bed down 16 F-35Bs and 20 F-35Cs, reaching an inventory of 245 and 219 respectively by fiscal 2029. The procurement plan for the F-35As includes buying 42 in fiscal 2025 and 2026, 47 in fiscal 2027 and 2028, and then 48 per year through fiscal 2048. The total number acquired is expected to reach 1,763 by fiscal 2049. The Air Force’s 2025 budget request includes 42 F-35As as well.
The Pentagon recently cleared the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for full-rate production earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in the program.