SINGAPORE- Lockheed Martin projects a sharp rise in fifth-generation fighter strength among US allies in the Asia-Pacific. Speaking at the Singapore Airshow at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), a senior executive said the region could field close to 300 F-35 Lightning II aircraft by 2035.
The forecast reflects accelerating deliveries and deeper military cooperation among allied nations facing a more complex security environment. Lockheed Martin executives said the growing fleet highlights both record production levels and expanding operational integration across the Asia-Pacific.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Demand Surge
Lockheed Martin recorded its highest-ever annual output of the F-35 program last year, delivering 191 aircraft worldwide. The company now expects to deliver about 156 jets this year, a level it describes as a sustainable production balance.
Executives said rising demand from allied air forces has driven steady output despite global supply chain pressures. The Asia-Pacific is emerging as one of the most important destinations for these deliveries due to its strategic geography and security priorities.
The F-35 combines stealth design, advanced sensors, integrated avionics, and networked data-sharing capabilities. These features allow allied air forces to operate as a single, interoperable force across air, sea, and land domains.
Asia-Pacific Operators
Four key US allies currently operate the F-35 in the Asia-Pacific: Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. These nations form the backbone of regional fifth-generation fighter operations and participate in frequent joint exercises.
Japan and Singapore have ordered both the F-35A conventional take-off variant and the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant. The F-35B offers added flexibility for operations from amphibious ships and remote airfields.
Japan is expected to become the world’s second-largest F-35 operator after the United States.
Australia has completed deliveries of 72 aircraft and declared full operational capability, while South Korea operates 40 F-35As and is considering additional purchases, the South China Morning Post reported.
Regional Security Impact
Lockheed Martin executives linked the expanding F-35 fleet to growing security challenges in the region. China’s rapid development of advanced fighter aircraft has reshaped regional airpower dynamics over the past decade.
Fifth-generation fighters offer superior situational awareness and survivability compared with older platforms. Their ability to share real-time data enhances air superiority and joint mission effectiveness during high-end operations.
The company also highlighted progress in sustainment infrastructure across the region. Japan is converting its final assembly facility into a maintenance, repair, and overhaul center, strengthening long-term support for allied fleets.
Executives said interoperability, not just aircraft numbers, defines the F-35’s strategic value.
Regular multinational exercises aim to ensure pilots, maintainers, and command systems can operate seamlessly in contested environments.
Lockheed Martin described the F-35 as the only fifth-generation fighter available on the global export market. The company said partnerships in the Asia-Pacific continue to deepen as allies focus on readiness, resilience, and collective defense.
Bottom Line
Record F-35 deliveries are rapidly strengthening the collective airpower of US allies across the Asia-Pacific, with interoperability now matching fleet growth in strategic importance.
As Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea expand and mature their fifth-generation fighter capabilities, the focus has shifted from acquisition to readiness, sustainment, and joint operations.
With nearly 300 F-35s projected in the region by 2035, the aircraft has become a central pillar of allied deterrence and air superiority in an increasingly contested security environment.
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