As US F-35 stealth fighters are struggling, do Israel's remain combat-ready?

Despite a recent U.S. watchdog report detailing reduced readiness and usability of American F-35 stealth fighters, Israeli sources claim their own fleet is faring better. These sources suggest that Israel's F-35s maintain a higher level of combat-readiness compared to the U.S. fleet, though specific figures were not provided.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report indicated that persistent maintenance issues have significantly impacted the mission-capable rates of U.S. F-35s. Between 2021 and 2025, the mission-capable rate for one mission fell from 67% to 44%, while the full mission-capable rate dropped from 38% to 25%. The report cited spare-part shortages and software glitches as key contributors to this decline, despite billions invested in readiness.

While the Pentagon is attempting to address these issues with a $13.7 billion investment, the GAO warned that a practical impact could take years. Potential ongoing problems include overreliance on contractors, parts capacity constraints, and cost gaps in sustaining the aircraft throughout its lifecycle. Past incidents have even led to grounding of F-35 fleets in both countries following crashes.

Israel, however, has reportedly relied heavily on its F-35s during recent conflicts from 2023 to 2026, employing them in operations against Iran and on other fronts. This operational tempo may highlight differences in maintenance standards or logistical support between the two nations' F-35 programs.