Lockheed Martin Presents the F-35 as a Standard NATO fighter

2 min read

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.

Lockheed Martin Presents the F-35 as a Standard NATO fighter

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.

Lockheed Martin Presents the F-35 as a Standard NATO fighter

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.

Lockheed Martin Presents the F-35 as a Standard NATO fighter