The
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of stealth multirole fighters that first entered service with the United States in 2015. The aircraft has been ordered by program partner nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, and also through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, including Japan, South Korea, and Israel. The units that operate or plan on operating the aircraft are listed below.
Operators
One of the RAAF's first two F-35As in December 2014The F-35I Adir (accompanied by a
253 SquadronF-16I Sufa) on its debut flight in Israel, December 2016
Royal Canadian Air Force – 88 ordered in January 2023. First aircraft to arrive in 2026, first squadron operational in 2029 and full fleet operational by 2032 to 2034.[9][10][11]
Czech Air Force – The U.S. State Department approved a possible sale to the Czech Republic of F-35 aircraft, munitions and related equipment worth up to $5.62 billion, according to a 29 June 2023 announcement.[12] On 29 January 2024, the Czech government signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States for the purchase of F-35A fighters.[13]
Royal Danish Air Force – 4 delivered out of 27 planned.[14] The first four aircraft are expected to be flown from
Luke Air Force Base, starting in 2021 for the training of Danish pilots. The first four aircraft arrived at
Skrydstrup Air Base in September 2023. Full operational capability is expected in 2027.[15][16]
Royal Norwegian Air Force – 10 operational and used for training of Norwegian pilots in the US, 37 delivered to Norway for testing and integration, with a total of 52 planned[30] In November 2019 Norway declared initial operating capability (IOC) status for its F-35s. In January 2022 the F-35s took over responsibility for the QRA-readiness previously held by the F-16. FOC is expected in 2025.[31][32]
32 received,[81] with 28 in the UK (one F-35B lost)[82] and the rest in the US, where they are used for testing and training.[83] 42 (24 FOC fighters and 18 training aircraft) to be fast-tracked by 2023.[84][85] 138 originally planned, amended to between 60 and 80 F-35Bs.[86]
Hellenic Air Force – Greece is planning to buy 20 F-35 fighter jets with an option to buy 28 more, as part of its multi-billion euro defense modernization program.[108] In January 2024, a proposed foreign military sale for 40 F-35s was sent to U.S. Congress for approval.[109]
Romanian Air Force – On 11 April 2023, the
Romanian Supreme Council of National Defense approved the acquisition plan of the F-35.[110] An order of 32 F-35 fighters is planned, with an estimated cost of $6.5 billion for the program. Deliveries could start in 2032, if the letter of acceptance is signed in 2024.[111]
Republic of China Air Force – In 2011, it was reported that Taiwan would procure a 5th Generation fighter such as the F-35.[113] A renewed push for purchasing the F-35 happened in early 2017,[114] and again in March 2018.[115] However, by November 2018 it was reported that the Taiwanese military leadership abandoned the F-35 program in favor of the
F-16V Viper. Reportedly, the decision was motivated by concerns about industry independence, and
Chinese espionage concerns.[116]
Royal Thai Air Force – 8 or 12 planned to replace
F-16A/B Block 15 ADF in service. On 12 January 2022, Thailand's cabinet approved a budget for the first four F-35A, estimated at 13.8 billion baht in FY2023.[117][118][119] On 22 May 2023 The
United States Department of Defense has implied it will turn down Thailand's bid to buy F-35 fighter jets, and instead offer F-16V Viper and
F-15EX Eagle II fighters, a Royal Thai Air Force source said.[120]
Turkish Air Force – 4 F-35A delivered and withheld[121][122] at
Luke Air Force Base. 30 F-35s were ordered,[123] of up to 100 total planned.[124][125] Future purchases have been banned by the U.S. with contracts canceled by early 2020.[122] On 1 February 2024 the U.S. expressed a willingness to readmit Turkey into the F-35 program in the event of a satisfactory resolution of the S-400 issue.[126]
United Arab Emirates Air Force – Up to 50 had been planned, although the sale was suspended and reviewed by the
Biden administration.[127][128] In December 2021 UAE withdrew from the purchase of F-35s as it did not agree to the additional contract terms added by the US.[129][130]
^Zhezheng, Hong (28 November 2018).
"放棄F-35 我擬對美採購66架F-16V新戰機" (in Chinese).
Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
The
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of stealth multirole fighters that first entered service with the United States in 2015. The aircraft has been ordered by program partner nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, and also through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, including Japan, South Korea, and Israel. The units that operate or plan on operating the aircraft are listed below.
Operators
One of the RAAF's first two F-35As in December 2014The F-35I Adir (accompanied by a
253 SquadronF-16I Sufa) on its debut flight in Israel, December 2016
Royal Canadian Air Force – 88 ordered in January 2023. First aircraft to arrive in 2026, first squadron operational in 2029 and full fleet operational by 2032 to 2034.[9][10][11]
Czech Air Force – The U.S. State Department approved a possible sale to the Czech Republic of F-35 aircraft, munitions and related equipment worth up to $5.62 billion, according to a 29 June 2023 announcement.[12] On 29 January 2024, the Czech government signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States for the purchase of F-35A fighters.[13]
Royal Danish Air Force – 4 delivered out of 27 planned.[14] The first four aircraft are expected to be flown from
Luke Air Force Base, starting in 2021 for the training of Danish pilots. The first four aircraft arrived at
Skrydstrup Air Base in September 2023. Full operational capability is expected in 2027.[15][16]
Royal Norwegian Air Force – 10 operational and used for training of Norwegian pilots in the US, 37 delivered to Norway for testing and integration, with a total of 52 planned[30] In November 2019 Norway declared initial operating capability (IOC) status for its F-35s. In January 2022 the F-35s took over responsibility for the QRA-readiness previously held by the F-16. FOC is expected in 2025.[31][32]
32 received,[81] with 28 in the UK (one F-35B lost)[82] and the rest in the US, where they are used for testing and training.[83] 42 (24 FOC fighters and 18 training aircraft) to be fast-tracked by 2023.[84][85] 138 originally planned, amended to between 60 and 80 F-35Bs.[86]
Hellenic Air Force – Greece is planning to buy 20 F-35 fighter jets with an option to buy 28 more, as part of its multi-billion euro defense modernization program.[108] In January 2024, a proposed foreign military sale for 40 F-35s was sent to U.S. Congress for approval.[109]
Romanian Air Force – On 11 April 2023, the
Romanian Supreme Council of National Defense approved the acquisition plan of the F-35.[110] An order of 32 F-35 fighters is planned, with an estimated cost of $6.5 billion for the program. Deliveries could start in 2032, if the letter of acceptance is signed in 2024.[111]
Republic of China Air Force – In 2011, it was reported that Taiwan would procure a 5th Generation fighter such as the F-35.[113] A renewed push for purchasing the F-35 happened in early 2017,[114] and again in March 2018.[115] However, by November 2018 it was reported that the Taiwanese military leadership abandoned the F-35 program in favor of the
F-16V Viper. Reportedly, the decision was motivated by concerns about industry independence, and
Chinese espionage concerns.[116]
Royal Thai Air Force – 8 or 12 planned to replace
F-16A/B Block 15 ADF in service. On 12 January 2022, Thailand's cabinet approved a budget for the first four F-35A, estimated at 13.8 billion baht in FY2023.[117][118][119] On 22 May 2023 The
United States Department of Defense has implied it will turn down Thailand's bid to buy F-35 fighter jets, and instead offer F-16V Viper and
F-15EX Eagle II fighters, a Royal Thai Air Force source said.[120]
Turkish Air Force – 4 F-35A delivered and withheld[121][122] at
Luke Air Force Base. 30 F-35s were ordered,[123] of up to 100 total planned.[124][125] Future purchases have been banned by the U.S. with contracts canceled by early 2020.[122] On 1 February 2024 the U.S. expressed a willingness to readmit Turkey into the F-35 program in the event of a satisfactory resolution of the S-400 issue.[126]
United Arab Emirates Air Force – Up to 50 had been planned, although the sale was suspended and reviewed by the
Biden administration.[127][128] In December 2021 UAE withdrew from the purchase of F-35s as it did not agree to the additional contract terms added by the US.[129][130]
^Zhezheng, Hong (28 November 2018).
"放棄F-35 我擬對美採購66架F-16V新戰機" (in Chinese).
Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.