Reporters at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, which is currently underway, were granted a direct update from the executive level of Lockheed Martin. The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter is the company's highest demand warplane, and the global fleet has consistently grown since its introduction in 2016 to now be over 1,200 strong and counting.

Demand for the aircraft has been very high in recent years, the United States plans to acquire almost 2,500 by itself, while there are 19 other air forces also building up their fifth-generation fighter fleets. Yet, he company is not planning to ramp up output as it would overstrain the global supply chain, which is still recovering from the Coronavirus-era cutbacks.

Smooth Operations

Steve Sheehy, vice president of aeronautics strategy and bu

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