UK receives 48th F-35B Lightning II fighter, completing first procurement batch amid ongoing capability challenges
The UK Ministry of Defence announced on March 27 that it had received its 48th Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
F-35B
Japan Air Self-Defence Force formally inducts first F-35B fighter aircraft into service
On February 7, at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force officially inducted its first F-35B Lightning II fighters, aircraft designed for short takeoff and vertical landing operations.
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Record number of UK F-35B fighter jets embark on HMS Prince of Wales for NATO drills in Mediterranean
The Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales now carries 24 UK F-35B Lightning jets, the largest number ever assembled on either of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
RAF F-35B jets take part in multinational Falcon Strike 25 exercise to enhance joint capabilities
The Royal Air Force is taking part in Exercise Falcon Strike 25 in Italy, a multinational live-fly operation focused on enhancing fifth-generation fighter capabilities in challenging and contested environments.
U.S. Marine Corps Squadron VMFA-542 completes F-35B combat deployment to CENTCOM Region
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542), operating the F-35B Lightning II, has successfully concluded a five-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
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FRCSW delivers critical F-35 engine fitting to USS Carl Vinson, avoiding costly crane-off
Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has successfully produced and delivered a vital F-35 weapons bay engine fitting to USS Carl Vinson, preventing a disruptive and costly crane-off of the aircraft.
Royal Navy F-35Bs conduct first-ever landings on Japanese carrier during major Indo-Pacific drills
Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighters have landed and launched from a Japanese destroyer carrier for the first time during a multinational big deck exercise in the Philippine Sea.
UK Carrier Strike Group to conduct joint F-35B fighter jet operations with Japanese forces
A United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer carrier JS Kaga will begin joint operations this week to test F-35B Lightning II fighter jet capabilities near Japan.
U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs operate from HMS Prince of Wales ahead of Talisman Sabre exercise
F-35B Lightning II fighters from the U.S. Marine Corps operated from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) on Tuesday in preparation for the multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Stranded British F-35B in India becomes a tourist attraction and raises security questions
A British F-35B fighter jet has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in southern India for nearly three weeks, prompting scrutiny and widespread online attention.
Italian Air Force reactivates 101st Flight Group with F-35B jets at Amendola Air Base
On 1 July, the Italian Air Force officially reactivated the 101st Flight Group at Amendola Air Base, equipping it with the fifth-generation F-35B STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) fighter aircraft.
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Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 marks 82nd anniversary with F-35B flyover of USS America
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242), known as “The Bats”, marked its 82nd anniversary on 1 July 2025 with a commemorative flyover above the USS America.