A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study highlighted escalating sustainment costs and diminishing use of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a critical component of US military strategy. According to the research, the program’s lifetime sustainment expenditures jumped by 44%, from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023. This rise is due to variables such as the aircraft’s extended service life to 2088 and rising inflation.
Even the most advanced military systems are subject to constant technological advancements. The US military now has around 630 F-35s, with plans to purchase an additional 1,800 units. The F-35 is available in three versions: Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy.
The expected expenses for maintaining the F-35 fleet have climbed dramatically, reaching $1.58 trillion by 2023. This is a 44% increase above the $1.1 trillion expected in 2018.
The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps are anticipating fewer yearly flying hours for the F-35 than previously expected, owing to reliability difficulties. To save money, flying hours have been decreased by 21%.
The US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have revised their affordability objectives, with the Air Force now anticipating $6.8 million per year to operate and support each aircraft, well above the original $4.1 million estimate. As of June 2023, the Air Force’s maximum annual budget for F-35 aircraft has been increased to $6.8 million.
Despite the DOD’s attempts to save expenses, these measures are unlikely to materially change the anticipated costs of running the aircraft.
The F-35 program is expected to cost the US more than $2 trillion to purchase, operate, and maintain during its lifespan. This comprises about $442 billion in acquisition expenditures and $1.58 trillion in ongoing costs.
The GAO study also states that the F-35 fleet’s overall availability has decreased over the last five years, and none of the aircraft versions are fulfilling their availability targets. The DOD has adopted several of the GAO’s suggestions to enhance the F-35 program, but many more remain unimplemented.
The F-35’s reduced flying hours are attributable to many dependability and maintenance challenges:
The F-35 fleet has had dependability, maintenance concerns, and delivery delays. Because crucial parts break often, the aircraft requires lengthy repairs. Lower-than-expected aircraft performance is mostly due to a lack of spare parts and inadequate maintenance capabilities. F-35 aircraft were unable to fly for around 30% of the time owing to spare parts shortages.
The US Department of Defence (DOD) has significant supply chain difficulties that are reducing F-35 aircraft performance.
A substantial lack of fully working F135 engines, notably for the Air Force’s F-35A variant, has led to decreased aircraft availability.
Problems with the canopy and egress systems have caused to flat or slightly diminishing availability. The primary causes of significant failures include troubleshooting (including software stability), adding hardware, wires/tubes/ducts/fiber optics, throttle grip, aircraft memory device, poor observability repair, standby flight display, and refuelling door.
The F-35 fleet does not fulfil the dependability and maintainability criteria outlined in the Operational Requirements Document.
Delays with the Tech Refresh 3 (TR-3) update, which provides increased processing power and additional capabilities, have also impacted the program. The DOD has refused to accept deliveries of the first F-35s with the TR-3 modification.
In the 2023 Annual Cost Estimate, the F-35 Joint Program Office estimated a 21% reduction in flying hours, or about 82,000 per year.
Because of ongoing maintenance and reliability issues with the F-35 fighter jet, the military has significantly reduced the projected flight hours for each aircraft, with the F-35 Joint Program Office reporting a decrease of nearly 82,000 flight hours per year, or a 21% reduction, in their 2024 Annual Cost Estimate.
President Donald Trump has suggested selling F-35 fighter fighters to India, which could considerably strengthen US-India security ties. This idea comes as India is continuously seeking to improve its military capabilities.
The F-35 is noted for its stealth characteristics, improved sensors, greater radar evasion, and networked combat systems, which might help India achieve its goals. The F-35 might greatly improve India’s combat capability, providing the Indian Air Force a technical advantage.
The F-35 program is expected to cost more than $2 trillion throughout its lifespan. The F-35’s unit cost ranges between $80 million and $100 million, depending on the model. India must evaluate cost, technological availability, and life-cycle costs.
High maintenance expenses, software integration issues, and limitations on operational independence all present challenges. The possible procurement of the F-35 is heavily influenced by geopolitical factors, with the US seeking to expand its strategic cooperation while also bolstering India’s military capabilities.
India must guarantee that the F-35 acquisition does not jeopardise domestic fighter projects and preserves the capacity to incorporate local weapons and systems. India’s use of the Russian S-400 air defence system may be a source of controversy, as it has been in the past with other nations.
Trump said that the US will expand military sales to India by billions of dollars, including the F-35. The offer represents a reversal in Washington’s posture, since the US has previously been reticent to provide the F-35 to India.
Acquiring the F-35 would indicate India’s commitment to improving defence cooperation with the United States.
