Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35 Lightning II aircraft in 2025, surpassing the program’s previous high of 142 jets and marking a milestone year for the fifth-generation fighter, the company announced.

Annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production, underscoring the scale and maturity of the program. The delivery milestone follows the program’s achievement of one million cumulative flight hours earlier in the year.

In 2025, the F-35 program team also completed delivery of its most advanced software to date with the completion of Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3), while sustaining a global fleet of nearly 1,300 aircraft that continues to grow. The aircraft’s operational performance was demonstrated in real-world combat operations throughout the year.

According to the company, the F-35 played a key role in suppressing Iran’s air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer. U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft recorded nearly 5,000 mishap-free flight hours during a deployment, and NATO F-35s eliminated Russian drones over Poland, marking the first time the aircraft engaged threats in allied airspace.

Global demand for the F-35 also expanded. Italy and Denmark increased their programs of record by adding 25 and 16 aircraft, respectively. Finland celebrated the rollout of its first F-35, Belgium welcomed its first in-country aircraft, and Norway completed deliveries of its F-35 fleet.

In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized Lots 18 and 19, covering the production and delivery of up to 296 aircraft for $24 billion, the largest production contracts in the program’s history. The organizations also agreed to an Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract supporting annualized sustainment activities for 2025 and beyond.

“I’m immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for delivering on our production commitments, performing with excellence and growing our global partnerships in 2025,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “As our warfighters continue to employ the F-35 to protect the interests of America and our allies around the world, we’re committed to continuing to push the latest technology into the hands of the warfighter to defeat any threat.”

With 12 nations operating the aircraft worldwide, the F-35 program continues to position the platform as a long-term contributor to global security.