US Defense Contractor Exceeds Production Targets Amid Global Demand for F-35

Lockheed Martin announced a record 191 F-35 deliveries in 2025, exceeding previous year’s total by more than 70%. The company cited a backlog of jets held in storage as the primary cause. According to Breaking Defense, the F-35 Joint Program Office has limited upgraded TR-3 aircraft to training only. Lockheed’s production capacity remains at 156 aircraft annually. Nearly 1,300 F-35s are operational globally, with the Swiss government announcing plans to trim its planned buy of the fighter in December due to cost disputes.