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In a major milestone for the global F-35 Lightning II fleet, the aircraft has successfully passed 1 million flight hours.
The milestone includes combat operations conducted by all three variants of the aircraft. Notably, November 2024 marked the first time the carrier-based F-35C was deployed in combat, successfully striking targets in contested airspace.
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Lieutenant General Michael Schmidt, program executive officer at the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, said: “Reaching 1 million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 program. It highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners and our international partners and foreign military sales customers.”
Australia has played a crucial role in the global F-35 program, having committed to acquiring 72 F-35A aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as part of the $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B program.
The first Australian F-35s arrived in-country in 2018. Operated primarily from RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, the fleet has since reached full operational capability, replacing the ageing F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet.
As the program progresses, Australia’s F-35 fleet will continue to benefit from ongoing upgrades. The global fleet now exceeds 1,100 aircraft, with the ability to coordinate with autonomous drone systems, including the United States Air Force’s upcoming fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin, said: “The F-35 is the backbone of the allied force, enabling peace through strength in the 21st century. As we look to the future, we are focused on continuing to increase the capabilities of the F-35 to ensure we stay ahead of adversarial threats.”
The Coalition has pledged to invest in 28 more F-35As should it win this year’s election, taking Australia’s fleet from 72 to 100.
Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie said on Sunday: “Despite repeatedly warning that Australia is facing the most strategic circumstances since the end of the Second World War, Labor has spent three years dithering and delaying.
“We have a Prime Minister misleading the public and not across his brief, while his Defence Minister plays down national security issues.
“As an island nation in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. It is essential that we are able to defend ourselves and protect our nation’s interests. Increasing our F-35 capability is an effective way we can do so.”
