WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Pentagon has submitted its fiscal year 2027 budget request, seeking funds to purchase 85 F-35 Lightning II fighters across all military branches.
Of those, only 38 F-35A variants are allocated to the U.S. Air Force, a number defense analysts say is insufficient to address the service’s worsening fighter shortfall.
President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget prioritizes restoring “the readiness and lethality of the force,” with $30.6 billion allocated for Air Force aircraft procurement.
Despite the overall budget increase, defense experts warn that 38 F-35As fall well short of the rate needed to meaningfully rebuild the Air Force’s aging and shrinking fighter fleet.
F-35 Procurement Falls Short of Air Force Needs
Retired Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, acknowledged that 85 aircraft total is a meaningful production number for preserving industrial-base stability. However, he was direct in his assessment of the Air Force’s share.
“38 for the Air Force is not a serious rebuild rate for a service operating the oldest and smallest fighter force in its history,” Deptula said. He added that the number may keep the production line active, but does not reverse the fighter inventory shortfall.
The 38 F-35As represent 14 more aircraft than the Air Force received in last year’s budget. However, it is also 10 fewer than the Air Force itself requested in 2025.
Notably, this marks the first time in the past decade that the Air Force has received less than half of the total F-35s requested by the Pentagon, Air and Space Forces reported.
F-47, B-21, and Competing Demands
Deptula pointed to the Air Force’s heavy financial obligations as a key reason for the limited F-35 allocation.
The service is simultaneously funding the F-47 sixth-generation fighter development, the B-21 Raider bomber, the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, readiness recovery, munitions stockpiling, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) development.
“The Air Force cannot continue a ‘divest to invest’ approach if modernization never catches up with divestment,” Deptula warned. He described the 38 F-35As as “budget triage” rather than a true recapitalization effort.
The White House budget fact sheet explicitly prioritizes the rapid development and production of the F-47 sixth-generation fighter but makes no specific mention of the CCA program or the B-21 Raider.
Deptula cautioned that the absence of public details on these programs should not be interpreted as a lack of priority, noting that aircraft modernization funding is often embedded within broader procurement accounts.
Retired Generals and Allies Urge Greater F-35 Investment
In July of last year, 16 retired Air Force four-star generals, including six former Chiefs of Staff, sent a formal letter to Congress urging lawmakers to significantly increase F-35 procurement. The letter highlighted the aircraft’s critical role in meeting the Air Force’s immediate combat readiness requirements.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, emphasized that the F-35 remains the most advanced U.S. fighter currently in production and is essential for the Air Force’s “fight tonight” capability.
Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley stressed the importance of allied interoperability, noting that partner nations have specifically procured the F-35 to operate alongside U.S. forces. He also called for investment in upgrading the aircraft’s engine to enhance lethality rather than scaling back production.
Shipbuilding Takes Center Stage in 2027 Budget
While the Air Force’s fighter allocation drew scrutiny, the 2027 budget request places a strong emphasis on naval power. The White House has outlined $65.8 billion for shipbuilding, covering the procurement of 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships.
Deptula described the shipbuilding focus as a “strategic communications centerpiece” and cautioned against interpreting it as a de-emphasis of airpower modernization. He advised Air Force observers to await the release of detailed budget justification materials before concluding F-47 and B-21 funding levels.
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