The US may purchase up to 76 F-35A, F-35B and F-35C fifth-generation fighter jets in fiscal year 2025

In fiscal year 2025, the Pentagon may purchase nearly 70 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. This became known from the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA).

The Senate-proposed legislation leaves in place the procurement of 68 fifth-generation fighter jets in fiscal year 2025. The budget proposal calls for the purchase of 42 F-35A, 13 F-35B and 13 F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, respectively.

At the same time, there is an NDAA proposed by the House of Representatives. It reduces the purchase of fighter jets to 58 units. The bill was approved on Friday. It prohibits the Pentagon from taking delivery of the 10 remaining F-35s until problems with the planes are fixed.

However, the House-proposed defence appropriations bill, which is a separate piece of legislation, calls for the purchase of 10 more fighter jets. We are talking about six F-35C variants and two F-35As. Thus, in fiscal year 2025, the Pentagon may purchase 76 new fifth-generation aircraft at once.