F-35 Breaks Delivery Record, Continues Combat Success in 2025

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BullishLong TermCorporate DevelopmentsBA NOC RTX

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FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

Original source

AI Summary

Lockheed Martin achieved a record-breaking delivery of 191 F-35s in 2025, significantly increasing its production rate. This milestone reflects growing international demand and confidence in the F-35 program, alongside securing substantial contracts worth $24 billion.

Trading Thesis

Strong international demand for the F-35 may lead to LMT stock appreciation.

Market-Moving

LMT's record F-35 deliveries indicate robust market position.
Global demand for F-35 jets is expanding.
Recent contracts bolster LMT's future revenue growth.
F-35s proving effective in real-world combat enhances credibility.
Rising fleet numbers among allies suggest long-term growth.

Key Facts

LMT delivered 191 F-35s, surpassing previous record of 142.
The production rate is now five times faster than any allied fighter.
F-35 program reached one million flight hours.
Contract signed for 296 F-35s worth $24 billion.
12 nations currently operate the F-35s.

Companies Mentioned

Boeing (BA): Potential competitor in defense sector.
Northrop Grumman (NOC): Collaborates on defense projects with LMT.
Raytheon Technologies (RTX): Involved in defense contracts, indirect impact on LMT.

Corporate Developments

The article highlights significant growth in military aviation production, particularly for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets. This trend suggests a solidifying market position against global defense competition, leading to increased investor confidence in LMT.

FAQ

Why Bullish?

The substantial rise in F-35 production and new contracts position LMT positively, echoing a similar surge in stock prices following past military contract announcements.

How important is it?

The article's focus on record production rates, combat success, and significant contracts indicates a strong future outlook for LMT, reflecting essential factors for stakeholder assessments.

Why Long Term?

The sustained growth in production and demand fosters long-term revenue stability and potential stock appreciation, reminiscent of past defense spending increases.

Related Companies

BA NOC RTX

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 million 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 billion, 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."

About the F-35

With 12 nations operating the F-35 across the global fleet, and almost 1,300 aircraft in service, the F-35 is delivering on its promise of unmatched reliability and lethality. Lockheed Martin is positioned to keep the fleet at the cutting edge of technology and support our allies as they expand their capabilities worldwide to ensure the F-35 remains an indispensable contributor to global security for decades to come.

Learn more at F35.com.