The U.S. Air Force pays an average of $82.5 million for an F-35A fighter, while the F-35B and F-35C cost more than $100 million

The Pentagon has revealed the cost of the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters. Russ Goemaere, head of the F-35 programme directorate, gave the actual figures.

Here's What We Know

As you know, the F-35 was created in three versions. Formally, there are more than a dozen variants that differ from each other, which does not best affect the service, but that's another story. The main variants are the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C. In this text, their photos are placed in a similar sequence.

The US Air Force uses the cheapest version of the fifth-generation fighter. This is the F-35A with conventional takeoff and landing. It also forms the basis of exports. Only a few countries have ordered the F-35B, and the F-35C is not sold overseas.

Russ Gomare reported that the F-35A costs an average of $82.5 million in 2023-2025 (batches #15, 16 and 17). For the deck version of the F-35C, which is deployed on aircraft carriers, the US Navy is paying $102.1 million in batches #15-17.

The most expensive variant of the fifth-generation fighter, as you've realised, is the F-35B. It features short takeoff and vertical landing. Apart from the US, only Italy and the UK have such aircraft so far. The cost to the Pentagon averages $109 million.

Russ Gomare says the F-35 programme directorate is trying to look for ways to reduce life-cycle costs of the fifth-generation fighter as much as possible. However, the F-35 is now the most expensive weapon system in history. The total cost of the programme could reach $1.7 trillion.

Source: Breaking Defence