The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have announced a 10-year framework targeting 1,560 F-35 fighters at a production rate of 156 aircraft annually.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Switzerland has accepted major reforms to its defence procurement process after a parliamentary review questioned the handling of its F-35A fighter purchase.
An unnamed foreign government is funding $18.79 million in development and integration work on a tailored F-35 variant, with the effort continuing through December 2030.
The Dutch government has approved a 240-hectare expansion of Lelystad Airport for F-35 fighter operations. The project includes new military infrastructure and a longer runway, requiring six businesses and four agricultural homes to relocate. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the impact on affected communities, while the implementation timeline remains unknown.
The U.S. Navy’s F-35C Lightning II completed its first arrested landing aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) on October 13, 2026, marking a major milestone in integrating the fifth-generation stealth fighter with the Ford-class aircraft carrier ahead of its planned delivery in spring 2027.
Portugal is weighing the F-35A against the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen E as it considers replacing its aging F-16 fleet. The decision will depend on operational capability, lifecycle costs, NATO interoperability, industrial benefits and long-term defense strategy.
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) first F-35A Lightning II has completed its maiden flight at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (FWH), Fort Worth, Texas.
Honeywell Aerospace has introduced a new P40 upgrade for the F-35 Lightning II’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS), increasing cooling capacity from about 32 kilowatts to 40 kilowatts.
Germany has received its first F-35A Lightning II from Lockheed Martin as the country prepares to introduce 35 fifth-generation fighters into Luftwaffe service.
Finland has received its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters at Rovaniemi, beginning the country’s transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to a new-generation fighter fleet.