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USA
07 Jan 26. In a record-breaking year for the F-35 Lightning II program, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered 191 F-35s in 2025, surpassing the previous delivery record of 142 jets. Annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production, underscoring the program’s scale and maturity. The milestone comes on the heels of the program reaching one m flight hours earlier in the year. In 2025, the program team also delivered the most advanced software to date with the completion of TR-3, as they sustained the global fleet of almost 1,300 aircraft and growing.
Most importantly, the F-35 continued to prove its performance in real-world combat operations, including:
- Playing a key role in suppressing Iran’s air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer;
- Recording nearly 5,000 mishap-free flight hours during a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B deployment;
- Eliminating Russian drones over Poland, marking the first time NATO F-35s have engaged threats in allied airspace.
Growing global demand
Customers displayed continued confidence in the F-35 as they expanded their fleet size, with Italy and Denmark increasing their programs of record by adding 25 and 16 aircraft to their fleets, respectively. And across the program, international customers met major program milestones:
- Finland celebrated the rollout of its first F-35.
- Belgium welcomed its first in-country aircraft.
- Norway completed deliveries of its F-35 fleet.
In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin reached final agreement of Lots 18-19 for the production and delivery of up to 296 F-35s for $24 bn, marking the finalization of the largest production contracts in program history. The JPO and Lockheed Martin also agreed to an Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract award this year, which supports annualized sustainment activities across the F-35 enterprise for 2025 and beyond.
“I’m immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for delivering on our production commitments, performing with excellence and growing our global partnerships in 2025,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “As our warfighters continue to employ the F-35 to protect the interests of America and our allies around the world, we’re committed to continuing to push the latest technology into the hands of the warfighter to defeat any threat.”
REST OF THE WORLD
09 Jan 26. Malaysia could fast-track next-generation fighter programme. The RMAF currently operates seven F/A-18D Hornets based at Butterworth in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. (ADF) The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) may accelerate its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) acquisition programme, as uncertainty persists over the timeline for acquiring ex-Kuwaiti Hornets intended as a stopgap. Speaking at an event in late December, the RMAF Chief General Muhamad Norazlan Aris said, “If we feel that the aircraft we are looking at are still not enough to fulfil our operational needs, we will push forward our MRCA programme.” Under the Capability Development Plan 2055, the RMAF aims to operate two squadrons of next-generation fighters to replace its existing Sukhoi Su-30MKM and Boeing F/A-18D Hornet fleets between 2030 and 2035. Indications suggest Malaysia is seeking a fifth-generation fighter platform. Potential contenders may include China’s J-35A, South Korea’s KF-21EX and Turkey’s Kaan. It is worth noting that Malaysia’s previous MRCA programme in the 2010s had considered the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen. However, that effort was ultimately shelved due to a lack of funds. Malaysia’s interest in acquiring Kuwait’s Hornets dates back to 2017, when the RMAF placed its MiG-29 fleet into storage, a move that created a fighter capability gap. It is understood that Malaysia sees the Middle Eastern nation’s Hornets as the most economical and fastest option to inject new fighters. It was also keen to acquire all 33 of Kuwait’s aircraft. The RMAF operates eight F/A-18Ds delivered in 1997, and which were upgraded in the past decade. However, one aircraft was lost in 2025 following a bird strike during take-off. Norazlan, who visited Kuwait in November to assess the situation, said Kuwait will only release its F/A-18C/D Hornets 12-18 months after taking delivery of the F/A-18E/Fs it has on order. Unfortunately, Kuwait does not yet know when that will occur. Beyond the uncertain timeline, Norazlan said the USA, the country of origin of the Hornets, has stipulated that even after the aircraft have been transferred to Malaysia, mandatory equipment modifications are required. That will add a further 15 months before they can become operational. Separately, Norazlan said Malaysia will receive six of 18 ordered FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries later this year. (Source: AMR)
08 Jan 26. Bangladesh is in discussions with Pakistan about the possible acquisition of the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter. The potential acquisition was discussed during a visit by Bangladesh’s air chief Hasan Khan to Pakistan, where he met with Pakistani air chief Zaheer Sidhu, according to Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) agency. Pakistan is by far the biggest operator of the JF-17
“The Bangladeshi Air Chief praised [the Pakistan air force’s] combat record and expressed interest in benefiting from its operational expertise, seeking assistance in maintenance support for Bangladesh’s ageing fleet and integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance,” says the ISPR.
“Detailed discussions were also held on [the] potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft.”
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Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that Bangladesh operates 55 fixed-wing aircraft with a combat role. These comprise 35 Chengdu F-7s, six RAC MiG-29s, and 14 Hongdu K-8W trainers that also have a secondary ground attack capability. The average age of the overall fleet is 19.1 years. The average age of the F-7s is 22.4 years, and the MiG-29s 25.8 years. Separately, news agency Reuters cites unnamed sources as saying that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2 bn in Saudi loans to the South Asian nation into JF-17s., Given that Riyadh has traditionally relied on Europe and the USA for combat aircraft, obtaining a jet with substantial Chinese involvement would be a significant departure. Overall, 172 JF-17s are in service globally. The main operator is Pakistan with 155 examples, with small numbers operated by Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. The type is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 engine, although a Chinese engine, the Guizhou WS-13 Taishan, is in development. Block III versions of the JF-17 feature a Chinese active electronically scanned array radar, the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A. NRIET has said that the KLJ-7A can track dozens of targets simultaneously and is resistant to jamming. (Source: News Now/https://www.flightglobal.com/)
09 Jan 26. Indonesia looks to revive KF-21 contract with Block 2 acquisition. Indonesia’s involvement in South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter programme looks set to deepen, with fresh indications that Jakarta may procure 16 Block 2 variants of the aircraft as part of a package to revive a long-stalled contract. This development emerged from a closed-door meeting at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Jakarta on 7 January, which was held following a proposal broached by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung during a private meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in October 2025. According to documents provided to Janes, the 7 January meeting was led by the head of Programme and Evaluation at the MoD’s Defence Logistics Agency, Air Commodore Jon Ginting. Also in attendance at the meeting were representatives from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). According to the notes of discussion, the meeting centred around expectations that the South Korean government would extend an export credit facility through the Exim Bank of Korea to support Indonesia’s financing of its KF-21 fighter aircraft obligations. A part of the facility will also be used to fund the purchase of 16 Block 2 airframes, with this number of units being the complement for a full squadron under Indonesian Air Force nomenclature. No details were provided regarding the export credit facility that might be extended. Similarly, there have been no details about whether an earlier agreement for Indonesia to procure up to 48 aircraft will be amended to reflect this consideration for 16 Block 2 units. (Source: Janes)
07 Jan 26. Pakistan eyes defence pact with Bangladesh, sale of JF-17 jets. The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held talks on a potential pact covering the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka, Pakistan’s military said, as Islamabad widens its arms supply ambitions and beefs up ties with Bangladesh. The talks in Islamabad come as Pakistan looks to capitalise on the success of its air force in the conflict with arch-foe India in May last year, the worst fighting in nearly three decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan had detailed talks on procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China, the military’s press wing said.
Pakistan has also assured Bangladesh of the “fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem,” it added in Tuesday’s statement.
WARMING RELATIONS
The talks signal improving ties as the South Asian nations have grown closer since massive protests in August 2024 drove then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, shattering Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the military said.
In the wake of Hasina’s ouster, Islamabad and Dhaka have resumed direct trade for the first time since the 1971 war that brought independence for Bangladesh, while their military officials have held several meetings.
Under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh is set for general elections on February 12 that could lead to a significant government role for a once-banned Bangladeshi Islamist party with links to Pakistan.
EXPANDING WEAPONS SALES
The JF-17s have become the cornerstone of the Pakistani military’s weapons development program, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and a $4-bn weapons pact with the Libyan National Army.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s defence minister said the success of its weapons industry could transform the country’s economic outlook.
“Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months,” Khawaja Asif told broadcaster Geo News. (Source: Reuters)
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