| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 2,470 planned; ~1,300 delivered (end of 2025); 191 in 2025 (record) |
| Operating Costs | Target $25,000/flight hour; reality ) |
| Mission Capable Rate | ~51.9% (USAF FY2023), far below the 80% target |
| Life-Cycle Costs | Over ; procurement + operations through 2088) |
Note on operating cost figures: Operating costs are based on third-party data. Since neither the calculation methodology, the exact time of data collection, nor the full scope of costs are known, the informative value is limited accordingly.
Note on cost basis: All USD amounts from US government sources (GAO, CBO, DoD) in this article are expressed in Base Year 2012 Dollars (BY2012$). Adjusted for inflation to 2026, actual values are approximately 40–50% higher.
In 2024, deliveries were on average 238 days late. The Block 4 modernization is at least 5 years behind schedule with over ) in cost overruns. In early 2025, Lockheed reported over 4,000 missing parts on the final assembly line (GAO-25-107632). Nevertheless, Lockheed delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025 (Lockheed Martin, 2026). The CBO documents that availability declines with increasing age (CBO, 2025).
Israel is the only country with its own EW system and limited software autonomy. The F-35I "Adir" features an Elbit EW system, proprietary C4I integration, and conformal fuel tanks (Defense.info, 2025).
Combat Operations: May 2018 -- world's first F-35 combat mission. October 2024 -- over 100 aircraft destroyed four Iranian S-300 batteries of Russian origin during "Operation Days of Repentance" (Warrior Maven, 2024).
The Dutch Court of Audit (Rekenkamer) has monitored the F-35 program for over 20 years -- the most comprehensive external oversight body worldwide. Key finding from 2019: if parliament wants to maintain control, it must "remain vigilant from the start and at every step" (Rekenkamer, 2019; Rekenkamer: Operating Costs).
In April 2025, Norway became the first F-35 partner nation with complete delivery. Additional investment: NOK 14.4 billion for upgrades and long-range missiles (Lockheed Martin, 2025; Army Recognition, 2024).
The FACO Cameri is the only final assembly line outside the USA. In 2024, Italy invested EUR 7 billion for 25 additional F-35s (Defense News, 2024; The Aviationist, 2025).
Australia completed the procurement of 72 F-35As in December 2024. An additional 28 are planned under AIR 6000 Phase 2C (Australian Defence, 2024; Breaking Defense, 2025).
Largest customer outside the USA. On April 9, 2019, the first Japan-assembled F-35A crashed -- the pilot experienced spatial disorientation during night training (CNN, 2019).
Tier 1 partner. On November 17, 2021, an F-35B crashed into the Mediterranean during the maiden operational cruise of HMS Queen Elizabeth -- a forgotten intake cover was the cause (Key Aero, 2023; Navy Lookout, 2023).
On 10 December 2021, the Finnish government announced that the F-35A Lightning II had been selected to replace the ageing F/A-18 Hornet fleet (Finnish Government, 2021). On 11 February 2022, the contract for 64 F-35A in Block 4 configuration was formalised (Air & Space Forces Magazine, 2022).
HX Evaluation: The HX programme, launched in 2015, assessed five candidates -- Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen E and Lockheed Martin F-35A -- across four decision-making categories: military capability, security of supply, industrial participation and affordability (Finnish Air Force, 2021).
Budget structure: The Finnish parliament approved a total framework of EUR 10 billion. Approximately EUR 9.4 billion is allocated to procurement contracts:
| Expenditure segment | Amount | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Airframes (64 units) | EUR 4.703 bn | F-35A Block 4 configuration |
| Support and training | EUR 2.920 bn | Maintenance, spare parts, simulators through 2030 |
| Reserve (weapons optimisation) | EUR 823.8 m | Future adjustments through 2035 |
| Infrastructure and project costs | EUR 777 m | Hangars, personnel, industrial participation |
| Air-to-air armament | EUR 754.6 m | AMRAAM and Sidewinder |
A key feature: operating costs through 2030 are included in the procurement budget. Additionally, approximately EUR 2 billion is earmarked for upgrades over the entire life cycle (Finnish Air Force -- Programme Status).
Arctic modifications: Finnish F-35As will receive an integrated drag chute system for landings on short, icy makeshift runways -- a measure also implemented by Norway for its F-35s.
Industrial integration: The minimum quota for industrial cooperation is 30% of contract value (Air & Space Forces Magazine, 2022). Three key projects are:
Data sovereignty: Finland operates its own servers for the ODIN logistics system. Finnish company Insta has developed "DomainLink Secret", a hardware-based cross-domain solution (CDS) using FPGA technology, enabling controlled data filtering between national and international security domains (Insta -- DomainLink Secret).
Status: The programme is progressing according to plan, per the Finnish Air Force Commander. First deliveries are scheduled for 2026, with full operational capability (FOC) planned for end of 2030. The rollout of the first Finnish F-35A took place in December 2025 (Finnish Government -- Programme Status, 2024; Lockheed Martin, 2025). The quantity of 64 units and the budget framework remain unchanged.
Procurement decision three weeks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine (March 2022). Primary role: nuclear sharing (Tornado replacement) at Buechel Air Base. Infrastructure costs rose from EUR 700 million to approximately EUR 2 billion (BMVG, 2024; The Aviationist, 2025).
The first three F-35As landed in Florennes in October 2025 (Lockheed Martin, 2025). 11 additional aircraft will be assembled at Cameri (Italy) (Army Recognition, 2025).
First F-35 country on the NATO Eastern Flank. Rollout August 2024, first deliveries to Poland in 2026 (Lockheed Martin, 2024). Poland received a more comprehensive weapons package than Switzerland, including JASSM-ER.