Greece and Singapore are expected to adopt F-35 Lightning II variants by 2030—but the aircraft’s large and growing price tag has driven away other potential customers.
Two key US allies are set to begin receiving the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation multirole stealth fighters. Singapore, a US ally in Southeast Asia, is on track to see the delivery of the first of its planned 20 F-35s by the end of 2026, while NATO member Greece will likely receive its first Lightning II by the end of 2028.
Production of the Hellenic Air Force’s F-35s will begin with the Lot 20 fighters, with full production expected to commence in 2027. Greece is now on track to become the 19th operator of the fifth-generation fighter around the world. Its current program of record calls for 20 F-35A models, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version that is already in service with the United States Air Force. The deal, which was concluded in July 2021, was valued at $3.5 billion. Athens may increase the order to 40 aircraft, partly due to delays in upgrading its aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Halfway around the world, Singapore has committed to acquiring a dozen F-35B fighters, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variants, as well as eight conventional F-35As. The F-35B model can operate from facilities with short runways—making it well-tailored for Singapore’s military, given the limited space available at the city-state’s air bases.
“The F-35 acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces’ long-term strategy to build up the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s future fighter fleet, which will comprise a diversified fleet of F-35As, F-35Bs and F-15SGs to meet our operational requirements and maintain a strong fighter fleet to safeguard Singapore’s skies,” the Singapore Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Friday.
The F-35’s Rising Costs Are Driving Away Other Partners
Even as Greece and Singapore remain committed to the Lightning II, traditionally neutral Switzerland has been having second thoughts about its purchase of three dozen F-35As. Bern is considering reducing the size of the order, while some Swiss lawmakers have called for canceling the acquisition of the stealth aircraft entirely in response to both political and financial developments.
The issue has been the cost, a “significant price increase” of the Lot 18 fighters, according to a report from Breaking Defense. Several factors have been cited, including inflation, price increases for raw materials, and supply chain disruptions. The US tariffs imposed on Switzerland under the Trump administration have also been another factor; this summer, President Donald Trump imposed a 39 percent duty on imports from the country, leading to widespread anger in the Alpine nation.
Bern has yet to receive any F-35s, and current plans call for the deliveries of the first aircraft in 2027. Although Switzerland will likely operate the F-35 in the future, the question is how many, and it is expected to be fewer than the original estimate of 36 airframes.
NATO member Spain also announced in August that it had “indefinitely” suspended talks over the purchase of the F-35 Lightning II. The decision was based in part on the cost of the aircraft, but also Madrid’s refusal to commit to NATO’s calls to spend five percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. Spanish lawmakers have called the two percent goal “sufficient, realistic, and compatible with the welfare state.” Madrid currently spends around 1.3 percent of GDP on defense, the lowest proportion of any NATO nation.
The decision not to adopt the F-35B raises questions about how the Spanish Navy will operate its flagship aircraft carrier, Juan Carlos I, as its aging short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VTOL) McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II jets are scheduled to be retired in the early 2030s. The F-35B was to take over the role, but Madrid may opt to operate the carrier with just helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the future.
There has been speculation that Spain’s exit from the program could open the door for Turkey, also a NATO member, to rejoin the program. However, Washington has made clear that the issue over Ankara’s adoption of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system still needs to be resolved first.
In the meantime, Lockheed Martin has received enough orders for the F-35 that production of the fifth-generation aircraft will continue for more than a decade, and likely far longer.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Jordan Tan.
