Conceived as the Pentagon’s next-gen do-it-all strike jet for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the F-35 has proved a budgetary nightmare, set to consume more resources than the GDP of a major G20 economy over its lifetime.
The GAO blamed the readiness shortfall on “challenges with depot and organizational maintenance,” and over-reliance on contractors who essentially hold the Pentagon hostage with astronomical sustainment costs (which jumped from $1.1 trillion in FY2018 to $1.58 trillion in FY2023). The Navy and Air Force are set to take control of sustainment to get a grip on the situation, but not until FY2027.
In a recent report released by the Government Accountability Office, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-gen stealth fighter is deemed severely below mission-ready status for six consecutive years. The GAO cites challenges with maintenance and contractors driving up costs to astronomical levels. With only 55% of its variants considered mission-ready at any time, the F-35’s extensive flaws and significant costs cast a shadow over its development. These issues, ranging from faulty landing gear to vulnerability to radar technologies from potential adversaries, indicate a troubled trajectory for the program. The F-35’s history, projected lifetime costs, and ongoing maintenance challenges paint a picture of a costly and problematic defense project that continues to face turbulence and scrutiny.