The U.S. Department of War announced on April 7 that it has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to continue software modifications supporting Israel’s F-35I Adir aircraft.
The Pentagon has requested funding for 85 F-35 fighter jets in its fiscal 2027 budget, including 38 F-35A variants for the U.S. Air Force.
The commander of NORAD has said that fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 are not required to defend North America.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter assigned to Nellis Air Force Base crashed on March 31 within a training area in Nevada, according to service officials.
RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a contract valued at $6.6 billion to support production of F135 engines for the F-35 Lightning II program.
Production of the F-35 fighter jet is expanding globally, with Canadian companies playing a growing role in the supply chain supporting the program.
Finnish Air Force is preparing to receive its first F-35A multirole fighters this autumn, marking a key milestone in the country’s transition to a new combat aircraft capability.
F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron arrived at Misawa Air Base on March 28, 2026.
The United States has redirected Swiss payments intended for F-35 fighter jets to fund the Patriot air defence system, despite Switzerland’s decision to freeze payments for the programme.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has begun a joint exercise with Japanese and United States forces at Misawa Air Base in Japan.
![Germany’s first F-35A reaches final assembly stage at Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas [VIDEO]](https://defence-industry.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/germanys-first-f-35a-reaches-final-assembly-stage-at-lockheed-martin-facility-in-fort-worth-texas-video-300x169.jpg)
Lockheed Martin said Germany’s first F-35A Lightning II aircraft has advanced to the final assembly stage at its Fort Worth, Texas production facility.
Luke Air Force Base hosted an estimated 200,000 visitors during the two-day Luke Days 2026 event, highlighting U.S. Air Force capabilities through aerial demonstrations and public engagement.
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