Serial deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II began in 2011, when the first nine aircraft were handed over to the U.S. armed forces, and production output has generally increased since then. Annual deliveries first exceeded 100 aircraft in 2019, but totals in subsequent years remained close to that level, with 98 jets delivered in 2023 and 110 in 2024.
The previous annual record of 142 aircraft, set in 2021, was significantly surpassed in 2025, partly due to the resolution of earlier logistical and technical challenges. In mid-2023, these issues delayed acceptance of some aircraft, leading to a buildup of completed jets awaiting approval of the TR-3 software upgrade for the latest production standard.
As these constraints were cleared, stored aircraft were delivered, contributing to the sharp year-on-year increase in 2025. By the end of the year, the global fleet of operational F-35s exceeded 1,300 aircraft, reflecting the continued expansion of the program.
The growing role of the F-35 was also underscored by renewed procurement commitments from U.S. allies. During 2025, Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom each officially announced plans to continue F-35 acquisitions, adding 11, 16, and 12 aircraft respectively to their long-term defense plans.
