The F-35 Lightning II, the U.S. military’s most expensive and high-tech fighter jet, is facing a major setback as several allied nations are backing out of their purchase agreements. The aircraft, once seen as the future of air combat, is now becoming a symbol of wasteful spending and broken promises.
Portugal, Canada, and Switzerland are among the countries reconsidering their plans to buy the F-35. Portugal, which initially aimed to replace its older F-16 jets with the new F-35s, is now hesitating due to concerns over the United States’ unpredictable foreign policies. Similarly, Canada, which previously agreed to purchase 88 F-35s for $19 billion, is now looking at other fighter jet options. Switzerland’s Social Democratic Party has also called for an immediate halt to its F-35 procurement plan, signaling growing frustration with the program.
The program’s high price tag, coupled with ongoing technical problems, is making these nations question whether the jets are worth the massive investment. Many allies fear that their dependence on U.S.-based parts and software could leave them vulnerable if relations with America deteriorate further.
The $2 Trillion Price Tag with Little to Show
The F-35 program is the most expensive military project in U.S. history, with a projected lifetime cost of $2 trillion. This staggering amount covers not only the production of the jets but also the cost of maintaining and upgrading them through 2088.
Despite the astronomical expense, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) admits that the aircraft is falling short of expectations.
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According to a 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the F-35’s reliability issues have led to a decrease in its planned usage. The report revealed that the jet’s ability to perform its missions has actually declined over the past five years. The DOD, which once envisioned flying the F-35 frequently, is now reducing its use due to ongoing maintenance problems.
The jet has been plagued by numerous technical flaws, including inaccurate targeting from its mounted gun and over 870 software issues. Thirteen of these software glitches have been classified as critical, meaning they directly impact the jet’s safety and combat abilities.
In 2018, the F-35 entered its initial testing phase. However, due to the overwhelming number of problems, the testing period was extended multiple times. Even today, new issues continue to emerge, making it difficult for the program to progress beyond its troubled development phase.
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A Broken System Draining Taxpayer Money
Despite its underwhelming performance, the F-35 continues to be funded by the U.S. government, largely due to the sunk cost fallacy. This is the flawed belief that because so much money has already been spent, it’s better to keep investing rather than accept the losses.
By November 2019, the DOD had already spent $428 billion on the F-35, with very little to show for it. Even as the program fails to meet expectations, the U.S. military plans to keep it in service for decades, continuing to pour billions of taxpayer dollars into its upkeep.
Critics argue that the program is an example of wasteful government spending. Some defense experts claim that the future of combat lies in drones and unmanned aircraft, making manned jets like the F-35 outdated. However, instead of shifting focus, the U.S. continues to fund the program, putting the interests of defense contractors ahead of practical military needs.
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Meanwhile, America’s allies are increasingly reluctant to invest in a program with a growing list of failures. Their hesitation could deal a serious blow to the F-35 program, which relies heavily on international sales to remain viable. As more nations reconsider their commitments, the future of the $2 trillion fighter jet program appears uncertain.
