Lockheed Martin Delivers Record 191 F-35 Aircraft in 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron takes off from Hill Air Force Base, Utah on November 19, 2025 | Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt Zachary Rufus

Lockheed Martin reported that it delivered 191 F-35 Lightning II aircraft in 2025, setting a new annual delivery record for the program. The figure exceeds the previous high of 142 aircraft delivered in a single year. The company said annual F-35 production is now operating at a rate higher than other allied fighter aircraft programs currently in production.

The delivery milestone followed the F-35 program reaching one million cumulative flight hours earlier in 2025. Lockheed Martin said the program also completed delivery of the TR-3 software configuration during the year, while sustaining a global fleet of nearly 1,300 aircraft.

According to the company, the F-35 was employed in operational deployments during 2025. These included participation in Operation Midnight Hammer, where aircraft were used during efforts to suppress Iranian air defenses. Lockheed Martin also said U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft recorded nearly 5,000 flight hours without mishaps during a deployment, and that F-35s were used to intercept Russian drones over Poland, marking the first engagement by NATO-operated F-35s in allied airspace.

The company reported continued growth in international orders. Italy expanded its planned F-35 fleet by 25 aircraft, while Denmark added 16 aircraft. Finland rolled out its first F-35, Belgium received its first aircraft on national territory, and Norway completed deliveries of its full F-35 fleet.

In September 2025, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalised production agreements for Lots 18 and 19. The contracts cover up to 296 aircraft with a total value of $24 billion. The parties also agreed on an Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract to support fleet sustainment activities from 2025 onward.

Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program, said, “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.”