Over 1,300 F-35 Jets Operational Globally, Senate Briefed Amid Cost Concerns

Lieutenant General Gregory L. Masiello, head of the F-35 Joint Program Office, informed the US Senate Armed Services Committee about the F-35 program's global reach. He highlighted the F-35 as an "unparalleled multi-role, large-scale fighter jet," with over 1,300 aircraft in operation worldwide, including 832 within the US.

These sophisticated aircraft are stationed at 42 bases globally and are also deployed on 13 aircraft carriers, 10 of which belong to the US. Masiello emphasized their significant operational scope, noting their use in recent military actions, including strikes against Iran in late February. He described the F-35 as the "only aircraft that can hit some of the targets that cannot be hit and see everything."

However, concerns about the program's financial implications were voiced by Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. While acknowledging the F-35's crucial role in future conflicts, Kelly pointed to ongoing challenges in deployment and integration into full operational capability. "I am also concerned about the long-term maintenance cost of the aircraft for the entire fleet," Kelly stated, noting its substantial impact on the defense budget.