An F-35 at an air show in Dubai 2025.Image: keystone
June 18, 2026, 11:59June 18, 2026, 11:59
The F-35 fighter jet from the defense company Lockheed Martin continues to make headlines, and not just in Switzerland. According to a recently published report by the US Court of Auditors (GAO), only 25 percent of all F-35 jets in the USA are currently operational in the sense that they would be able to fulfill all assigned missions. This is what the German online magazine “Telepolis” writes.
Another number that emerges from the report and that doesn’t exactly flatter the fighter jet is the so-called deployment rate. This shows how often an airman was able to complete at least one of his assigned missions. While this was the case in 68 percent of operations in 2021, this number has now fallen to 44 percent.
There are significant deficiencies, particularly in the area of maintenance; there is said to be a lack of spare parts for the aircraft. There are also software problems and a backlog of repairs. The authorities also have to contend with corrosion problems, i.e. material damage caused by moisture, salt and chemicals.
Costs are said to have more than doubled
In response to the report, the Defense Department’s F-35 program said it would invest an additional $14 billion in an updated maintenance strategy. This should lead to an operational readiness of 80 percent and a full operational capability of 65 percent being achieved by 2030, as Telepolis writes.
Dan Grazier is director of the national security reform program at the Stimson Center, a U.S. think tank focused on international security, foreign policy and global conflict. He told “Telepolis” that the originally estimated costs had already more than doubled: “After 25 years of development, it should be clear to everyone that the F-35 is simply a flawed concept.”
Defense Ministry plans to increase spending
The costs for the combat aircraft over the entire life cycle of the aircraft would currently be estimated at $2 trillion, without the additional $14 billion. as the US online medium “Responsible Statecraft” writes.
Despite the negative headlines, the Defense Ministry continues to rely on the fighter jets. For fiscal year 2027, the Pentagon has requested around $21 billion for a total of 85 new F-35 jets and all associated costs, almost twice as much as in fiscal year 2026.
(July)