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Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets in 2025. That record surpassed the program's previous annual delivery high of 142 aircraft, the company said.
The milestone year came as the F-35 program reached one million cumulative flight hours and introduced its most advanced software to date with the completion of the Technology Refresh upgrade. Annual production is now running at a pace the company said is five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production.
In 2025, the F-35 fleet, now comprising approximately 1,300 aircraft worldwide, continued to see operational use and expansion. The aircraft was employed in combat operations, including helping suppress Iranian air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer, flying nearly 5,000 mishap-free hours during a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B deployment, and intercepting Russian drones over Poland in the first engagement by NATO F-35s in allied airspace.
Global demand for the fighter also grew. Italy and Denmark expanded their program of record by 25 and 16 aircraft, respectively. Other international milestones included the rollout of the first F-35 for Finland, the arrival of the first in-country aircraft in Belgium, and completion of fleet deliveries for Norway.
In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized agreements for production lots 18 and 19, covering up to 296 aircraft valued at $24 billion, the largest production contracts in the program's history. The two sides also reached an agreement on an air vehicle sustainment contract supporting fleet operations in 2025 and beyond, according to the release.
"I'm immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for delivering on our production commitments, performing with excellence, and growing our global partnerships in 2025," said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. "As our warfighters continue to employ the F-35 to protect the interests of America and our allies around the world, we're committed to continuing to push the latest technology into the hands of the warfighter to defeat any threat."
The F-35 is operated by 12 nations and remains the cornerstone of allied tactical airpower, according to Lockheed Martin, which said it expects the aircraft to remain in service for decades as partners continue to expand their fleets.
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