F-35 program breaks records

Air January 9, 2026

Lockheed Martin has reported a record-breaking performance for the F-35 Lightning II program in 2025, delivering 191 aircraft and significantly exceeding the previous annual delivery high of 142 jets.

This industrial milestone indicates a maturation of the global production line, which is now operating at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production. For the United Kingdom’s defence sector, which serves as the only Tier 1 partner on the program, this acceleration represents a sustained period of high-volume requirements across the domestic supply chain. With approximately 15 per cent by value of every F-35 produced globally being manufactured in the UK, the program’s expansion continues to support thousands of jobs across British aerospace and engineering firms, including major contributors such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.

The program’s growth is underpinned by significant new procurement and sustainment agreements that offer long-term visibility for sub-contractors. In September 2025, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized the production contracts for Lots 18 and 19, valued at 24 billion dollars. This agreement covers the delivery of up to 296 aircraft, providing a clear roadmap for the manufacturing of components and systems through the latter half of the decade. Furthermore, the award of a new Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract ensures ongoing funding for global fleet maintenance, which is of particular relevance to UK-based sustainment hubs and SME providers specializing in logistics, repair, and overhaul services.

Technological advancements have also reached a critical juncture with the completion of the TR-3 software configuration, the most advanced update to the platform to date. This upgrade is essential for the integration of future capabilities and ensures the global fleet, which now nears 1,300 aircraft, remains operationally relevant against evolving threats. In 2025, the platform demonstrated its combat utility in various international theatres, including NATO operations over Poland where aircraft engaged threats in allied airspace for the first time. Such operational success continues to drive international demand, with Italy and Denmark expanding their programs of record by 25 and 16 aircraft respectively, while Finland and Belgium achieved significant delivery milestones.

For UK businesses, the transition from production to long-term sustainment and iterative technological upgrades presents a dual opportunity. As the global fleet continues to accumulate flight hours, which surpassed one million in early 2025, the demand for high-reliability components and digital support solutions will likely increase. The finalization of major production lots and the commitment to annualized sustainment activities underscore the F-35’s status as a central pillar of Western air power and a cornerstone of the UK defence industrial base for the foreseeable future.#

Image Courtesy Lockheed Martin

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