Record Production and Delivery Rate
Lockheed Martin announced that a total of 191 F-35 aircraft were delivered to customers in 2025, representing the highest annual volume in the program’s history. The previous maximum was 142 aircraft. The increase in production is said to reflect improved supply chain organization and stabilization of production processes for all three variants of the aircraft – F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C.
According to program management, this is a key signal to users and political representatives that the project is capable of long-term sustainable operation despite its technological complexity.
One Million Flight Hours and Growing Global Fleet
Another symbolic milestone was reaching the one million flight hours mark for the entire F-35 fleet. The number of aircraft in operation approached 1,300, and the type is now in the inventory of twelve countries worldwide.
“Achieving these values confirms not only the reliability of the platform but also the depth of international cooperation,” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin.
TR-3: The Software Foundation for the Next Generation of Capabilities
A major technological event of 2025 was the completion and introduction of the modernized software package TR-3 (Technology Refresh 3). This forms the basis for further development of the F-35’s combat capabilities, including data processing, electronic warfare, stealth characteristics, and the integration of future weapon systems.
TR-3 is also a prerequisite for the next modernization step, known as Block 4, which is expected to significantly expand the aircraft’s operational capabilities.
Combat Deployment and Operational Experience
2025 also brought further confirmation of the combat value of the F-35. According to available information, these aircraft participated in several allied operations, where they played a role in suppressing air defenses and protecting NATO airspace.
The U.S. Marine Corps also stated that its F-35B aircraft achieved nearly 5,000 flight hours during one operational deployment without a serious accident, which is a significant figure in the context of fifth-generation aircraft.
Europe Massively Strengthens F-35 Fleets
European countries continued to expand their fleets in 2025:
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Italy increased its order by another 25 aircraft,
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Denmark expanded its fleet by 16 aircraft,
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Finland celebrated the production of its first F-35,
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Belgium took delivery of its first aircraft at its home base,
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Norway completed its entire ordered package of deliveries.
Europe is thus becoming one of the main pillars of the program, not only as a user but also as a manufacturing partner.
Czech Republic and the F-35
The Czech Republic concluded a contract for 24 F-35A aircraft in January 2024. The first six aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by 2029 and will primarily be used for training Czech pilots in the United States. Further deliveries will follow gradually until 2034.
Part of the Czech aircraft will be manufactured at the Cameri plant in Italy, which is one of the main European centers for the final assembly of the F-35.
Largest Contracts in Program History
In September 2025, according to the manufacturer, a framework agreement was concluded for the production and delivery of up to 296 F-35 aircraft worth approximately 24 billion dollars. This is the largest contract in the program’s history, designed to ensure stable production for several years to come.
The F-35 production network today includes plants in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, with more than 1,500 suppliers worldwide involved in the program.
Future of the F-35 Program
The F-35 program, whose roots date back to 1996, maintains its position as a key pillar of modern combat aviation even after almost three decades. Despite earlier controversies, the Lightning II has become the standard for the air forces of NATO and other allied states.
According to Lockheed Martin, 2025 showed that the F-35 is not just a technological experiment, but a fully mature combat platform that will determine the shape of air superiority for at least the next two decades.
Sources: Flying Magazine, AeroTime, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Lockheed Martin, National Interest, Arabian Defence, U.S. Department of Defense, Joint Program Office F-35, Ministerstvo obrany ČR
