The US Air Force, under the Department of Defense, has reduced its request for F-35 fighter jets for the 2026 fiscal year from 48 to 24 units. This decision is part of the Pentagon’s plan to reduce defense spending by 8%.
$3.5 Billion Budget Request
The US Air Force plans to request $3.5 billion for F-35A fighter jets developed by Lockheed Martin, along with an additional $531 million for initial procurement processes.
According to the Pentagon’s request submitted to Congress:
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$1.95 billion is allocated for 12 F-35s,
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$401.5 million is designated for advanced materials procurement.
This cut is among the 17 defense spending reductions approved by Congress for the 2026 fiscal year.
Long-Term Plan for 1,763 Aircraft
The US Air Force originally aimed to procure a total of 1,763 F-35A jets in the long term. However, in recent years, the project has faced significant criticism due to technical issues and cost overruns.
Musk’s Harsh Criticism: “Manned Jets in an Unmanned Era”
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk previously targeted the F-35 program directly. In a statement made in December, Musk said, “Some fools are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35 in the era of drones,” arguing that such projects are outdated.
Loomer: “Jeopardizing Readiness Every Day”
Conservative political activist Laura Loomer also criticized the F-35 program on social media platform X, calling it “a disaster that puts military readiness at risk every day.” She emphasized the need for a transparent review of the program, which she claims is draining US resources.
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