The F-35 Lightning fighter jet is the most advanced on the market today. Manufactured by the Lockheed Martin Cooperation, this fifth-generation aircraft far surpasses its predecessors with features like high maneuverability, supercruise, and stealth technology. It can also carry a weapons payload of up to 18,000 pounds, making it a powerful and lethal addition to any military force. (These are the world’s future military aircraft.)
Lockheed Martin recently secured a new $97 million contract in June 2024 with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to secure weaponry for the F-35 Lightning II. This project, expected to be completed by February 2028, will provide aircraft and weaponry for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. It will also benefit Foreign Military Sales customers and non-U.S. Department of Defense program participants. (Here is every major fighter plane flown by the U.S. Air Force.)
The F-35 Lightning II comes in three variants: the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. The F-35A is the standard variant. With conventional takeoff and landing capabilities, it costs around $110 million per unit. The F-35B features a short takeoff and vertical landing system, costing roughly $136 million per unit. Lastly, the F-35C is a carrier-based variant and costs around $117 million per unit. (These are the most iconic aircraft built by Lockheed Martin.)
To determine which countries are buying the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ranked these countries based on the number of F-35 jets they have on order. In addition, we included supplementary information about the number of active F-35s in each country’s fleet, the specific military branches that will be using these aircraft, and which variants of the F-35 (F-35A, F-35B, or F-35C) are on order or already in active service.
Why Are We Covering the Countries Buying the Most F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jets?
Source: usnavy / CC BY 2.0 DEED / Flickr
The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is the most advanced military aircraft in the world today, and it is an important element in providing security and preventing future conflicts. Although the cost of each jet is high, it also helps to create jobs and boost the economy, particularly in the United States where the jets are manufactured.
Here is a look at the countries that are buying the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets:
20. Singapore
Source: secdef / Flickr
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Singapore. Although the country currently has no active F-35 Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 12 new aircraft on order.
19. Norway
Source: ajw1970 / Flickr
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Norway. There are 40 active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 12 more on order.
18. Denmark
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Public Domain / Flickr
The Royal Danish Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Denmark. There are 10 active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 17 more on order.
17. Netherlands
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Royal Netherlands Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in the Netherlands. There are 34 active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 18 more on order.
16. Czech Republic
Source: usnavy / CC BY 2.0 DEED / Flickr
The Czech Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in the Czech Republic. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 24 new aircraft on order.
15. South Korea
Source: bbevren / iStock via Getty Images
The Republic of Korea Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in South Korea. There are 40 active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 24 more on order.
14. Poland
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Polish Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Poland. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 32 new aircraft on order.
13. Belgium
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Belgian Air Component is responsible for military aircraft in Belgium. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 34 new aircraft on order.
12. Germany
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The German Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Germany. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 35 new aircraft on order.
11. Israel
Source: 77258709@N06 / Public Domain / Flickr
The Israel Air and Space Force is responsible for military aircraft in Israel. There are 39 active F-35I Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 36 more on order.
10. Switzerland
The Swiss Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Switzerland. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 36 new aircraft on order.
9. Australia
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Australian Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Australia. There are 63 active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 37 more on order.
8. Romania
The Romanian Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Romania. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 48 new aircraft on order.
7. United Arab Emirates
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The United Arab Emirates Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in the United Arab Emirates. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 50 new aircraft on order.
6. Finland
The Finnish Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Finland. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have 50 new aircraft on order.
5. Italy
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Italian Air Force and Italian Navy are responsible for military aircraft in Italy. There are 25 active F-35A/B Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 65 more on order.
4. Canada
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in Canada. Although the country currently has no active F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in service, they have ordered 88 new aircraft.
3. United Kingdom
Source: Matt Cardy / Getty Images
The Royal Air Force is responsible for military aircraft in the United Kingdom. There are 29 active F-35B Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 105 more on order.
2. Japan
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force is responsible for military aircraft in Japan. There are 36 active F-35A/B Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet, with an additional 110 more on order.
1. United States
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy are responsible for military aircraft in the United States. There are 553 active F-35A/B/C Lightning II fighter jets in their fleet. The U.S. is also buying the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, with an additional 1,855 more on order.
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