5 Countries Equipped With F-35 Lightning II

Summary

  • Japan is the largest F-35 export customer, with at least 127 models purchased.
  • Israel is buying at least 75 F-35As and is the first nation to use them in combat.
  • Italy is procuring 60 F-35As and 30 F-35Bs, with final assembly operations conducted in Cameri, Italy.

The fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet is by far the world’s most produced and popular fifth-generation fighter jet. Many US-allied countries are purchasing the F-35, while others like the UAE and Turkey would like to buy it but are apparently being blocked by the US.

The F-35 has three variants: the land-based F-35A, the naval F-35B (which can operate off smaller aircraft carriers), and the Navy’s F-35C. The most popular export variant is the F-35A, and some countries have also purchased the F-35B. Only the US Navy (and the Marines, to a lesser extent) operates the F-35C.

1

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is possibly procuring 138 F-35Bs

Variant:

F-35B

Number:

possibly 138; 74 known to be contracted or planned

Note:

Level One partner

The United Kingdom is a special export country for the program and is the only “Level 1 Partner.” It later slashed the number of F-35s it had planned to procure from an initial 150 to 138 and then much less than that. 48 F-38Bs are under contract, and another 27 are being negotiated for a total of 74; Janes reported in February 2024 that the UK was once more committing to 138 F-35Bs. The United Kingdom became one of the first countries to operate F-35s and one of the first to operate them off aircraft carriers.

f-35b

Photo: Aqeela_Image | Shutterstock

The United Kingdom is unique as it only purchases the F-35B variant, which is jointly operated by the Royal Navy (on its two Elizabeth class carriers) and the Royal Air Force. While this has saved money, the Royal Air Force is compelled to operate the smaller, shorter-range F-35B instead of the typical F-35A built for land bases.

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2

Japan

Japan is procuring at least 127 F-35s

Variant:

F-35A & F-35B

Number:

127+

Note:

F-35A assembled at Nagoya, Japan

While Japan kept out of the development of the F-35 program, it is now the largest export customer of the F-35 (unless the UK returns to its previous intention of purchasing 138 jets). It is also home to one of only two final assembly and check-out facilities (at Nagoya) outside the United States. Japan is procuring 105 F-35A models and up to 42 F-35B models (but at least 22 F-35Bs).

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth multirole fighter

Photo: viper-zero l Shutterstock

The F-35As are being assembled in Japan, while the F-35Bs are being built at the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas. Japan operates four ships officially designated DDH – Helicopter-carrying destroyers. The two Hyūga-class DDHs are de facto helicopter carriers, and the two Izumo-class DDHs are de facto light aircraft carriers. Japan is currently modifying its two Izumo class ships to operate F-35Bs.

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3

Israel

Israel is procuring at least 75 F-35s

Variant:

F-35A

Number:

at least 75

Note:

first to use them in combat

Israel enjoys a special relationship with the United States and has rare permission to adapt jets. Israel was the first country to select the F-35 through the US Foreign Military Sales process and use it in combat. The US supplies Israel with F-35s in an attempt to ensure that Israel maintains a technological edge in the region.

IAF F-35I Adir on its first flight with the Israeli Air Force, 13 December 2016
Photo: Major Ofer, Israeli Air Force רס”ן עופר, חיל האוויר הישראלי | Wikimedia Commons

Israel has just signed a deal to purchase another 25 F-35As, bringing the total number to 75. In Israel, the F-35 is called the ‘Adir’ or “Mighty One,” and the fleet is based at the Nevatim Air Force Base in southern Israel. The F-35As help ensure the Israeli Air Force remains one of the most potent in the region.

Related

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4

Italy

Italy is procuring 60 F-35As and 30 F-35Bs

Variants:

F-35A & F-35B

Number:

90

Note:

final assembly at Cameri, Italy

Italy is also a rare export country purchasing both the F-35A and F-35B variants. F-35Bs are to be used on Italy’s new Cavour and Trieste aircraft carriers. These Italian aircraft carriers are equipped with ski-jumps to facilitate the takeoff and landing of F-35B aircraft.

An F-35 in the sky

Italy has been the second largest foreign contributor to the F-35 program after the United Kingdom. Its F-35s are based at the Ghedi Air Base, Amendola Air Base, and the Taranto Naval Base (Cavour Carrier). Italy is home to the second final assembly and check-out facility outside of the United States at Cameri.

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5

Australia

Australia is procuring at least 72 F-35As

Variant:

F-35A

Number:

at least 72

Note:

may purchase 100 F-35As

Australia is another major US ally purchasing the F-35A. Australia is replacing its aging F/A-18 Hornets with at least 72 F-35As. The first F-35A was accepted into Australian service in 2018, and the first F-35A squadron, No. 3 Squadron, was declared operational in 2021.

F-35A-Lightning-II_Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Australia bases its F-35As at the RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, north of Sydney, and at RAAF Base Tindal in the remote Northern Territory near Darwin. The Australian Air Force also operates EA-18G Growler and F/A-18F Super Hornets.

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