The F-35 Lightning II has become the backbone of modern allied air power globally.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Since entering service in 2015, the F-35 Lightning II has expanded from a United States project into a massive international fleet. Today, nations across Europe, Asia, and North America are integrating these stealth multirole fighters, reshaping how air forces coordinate, train, and project power on a truly global scale.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program represents a significant shift in international defense cooperation. While the aircraft first became operational with the United States in 2015, it has since been adopted by a wide array of partner nations. These acquisitions occur through two primary channels: direct participation as program partners, such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, or via the U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, which includes countries like Japan, South Korea, and Israel.

The scale of these deployments is substantial. The United States Air Force maintains the largest fleet, with 443 operational units and 1,763 planned. Other nations are building significant capabilities as well. For instance, Italy has ordered 75 aircraft for its Air Force and Navy, while Japan has ordered 105, with 41 of those F-35A variants being manufactured domestically by Mitsubishi. Newer entrants are also rapidly scaling up; Romania concluded an order for 32 fighters in November 2024, with plans to reach 48 total, while the Czech Republic signed a memorandum for 24 aircraft in January 2024.

Integration requires complex logistical and training pipelines. Many nations, such as Canada and Denmark, utilize U.S. facilities like Luke Air Force Base for initial pilot training before transitioning to domestic operations. The rollout is often staggered, with full operational capability sometimes taking years to achieve. For example, Canada expects its first squadron to be operational by 2029, with a full fleet ready between 2032 and 2034. This long-term commitment underscores the aircraft's role as a cornerstone of future air defense strategies for its operators.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The F-35 Lightning II program is the most expensive defense project in American history.
• From NATO partners to global surplus, the F-16 Fighting Falcon remains a versatile icon.
• How a Cold War fighter jet became a multi-billion pound multinational engineering marathon
• The Boeing F-47: America’s ambitious leap into the era of sixth-generation air superiority
• How Japan transformed the American F-15 Eagle into its own unique air interceptor
• From Mumbai real estate to a 2.5 gigawatt data center park
• The F-16V Viper brings fifth-generation radar technology to a proven fourth-generation airframe.
• Why the Lok Sabha holds the ultimate power in India's democratic machinery
• The massive military transport plane that earned the nickname Fucking Ridiculous Economic Environmental Disaster
• The railway giant that defined British style and speed
• The largest-ever crime scene was created in a Scottish market town
• Why a Canadian city was named after London and intended to be a capital

More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics