By 2030 there will be 450 F-35 stealth fighter jets across all NATO member bases. This fifth-generation fighter will enhance the coalition through joint equipment, missions and training. The Company presents the aircraft as more than a stealth fighter; it is also a formidable political statement for coalition unity. Lockheed Martin intends to confirm the F-35 as a standard NATO fighter. This standard choice of aircraft, which will be present in fleets across NATO member bases and those of their allies, has become a symbol of “diplomacy in action”, Lockheed Martin has stated.
The F-35 fleet is spread across Europe, Australia, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan and will complement Singapore in 2026. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the F-35 is Israel’s strength. Lockheed Martin said production of the F-35 has been very stable so far. The F-35 manufacturer estimates the US and NATO allies could station 450 of them in Europe by 2030.
Two countries do not fit in the NATO Standards term. France cannot give up on Rafale as, according to the French perspective, the F-35 symbolises US domination within NATO.
The second country is Turkiye, as the USA applies Countering America"s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) as the government purchased the S-400 air-defence system from Russia. A political move has proven to be that the US can not pursue for a long time. Similar to Turkiye, India has also purchased and installed the S-400; however USA participates in a fighter aircraft tender with F-35.
