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F-35 Bolsters Allied Deterrence in 2023
December 20, 2023
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Throughout 2023, the F-35 demonstrated its value to the U.S. and allies. 美诱直播 delivered 98 F-35s in 2023, bringing the global fleet to more than 980 aircraft strong. With more than 2,250 F-35 pilots and 15,125 maintainers trained, the fleet has flown more than 768,000 cumulative flight hours.
That training and experience enabled F-35s to conduct more than 30 deployments and detachments, many of which featured U.S. and international F-35s operating together.聽
The Wisconsin Air National Guard their first F-35s, the U.S. Marine Corps鈥 first East Coast operational F-35B squadron their first aircraft, and the first F-35s at Tyndall Air Force Base 鈥 the U.S. Air Force鈥檚 鈥淚nstallation of the Future.鈥澛
The F-35 program continued to expand with it is procuring F-35s, and聽celebrated rollout, along with the first in-country aircraft arrival in Denmark.聽聽
On the operational front, U.S. officials noted that Israeli F-35s have achieved 鈥渆xceptional mission capability rates and the aircraft is proving resilient.鈥 Many demonstrations聽of partnership and F-35 delivering on the promise of interconnected security were displayed in 2023. Here is a look back at some of the highlights.聽
F-35s in Europe, NATO
The F-35鈥檚 growing presence across Europe is a powerful example of alliance-based deterrence that is setting the foundation for NATO鈥檚 next generation air power capability.聽聽
In January, U.S. Air Force F-35As deployed to Greenland for and Royal Netherlands Air Force personnel in the United Kingdom. Dutch F-35As deployed to Poland for NATO Air Policing.聽
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In March, Norwegian F-35s Russian aircraft operating near Norway, and joined exercise Joint聽Viking 2023. Dutch F-35As trained with Poland and France along NATO鈥檚 eastern front, and Italian F-35s trained with American B-52s over the Mediterranean.聽聽
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In June, Norwegian F-35s intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Barents Sea, and U.S., British and Dutch F-35s joined NATO鈥檚 largest-ever air force exercise. Italian F-35s joined NATO鈥檚 Neptune Strike 23-2聽the following month.聽
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In September, Italian F-35s intercepted a pair of Russian fighter jets over the Baltic Sea. American, British and Norwegian F-35s, meanwhile, joined exercise Cobra Warrior 23-2.聽That same month, Denmark鈥檚 first four locally based F-35As on home soil, Norwegian F-35As on a highway in Finland, and the Czech government plans to procure 24 F-35s.聽
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In October, British and Norwegian F-35s a Russian maritime patrol aircraft, and U.S. and British F-35s joined Atlantic Trident 2023.
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Flight trials aboard U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales of F-35B capabilities and allied naval aviation.
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In November, Italian F-35s returned to Poland for NATO enhanced air policing. 鈥淭he F-35 aircraft we deployed here constitute the most advanced weapon system available to the [Italian] Air Force,鈥 said Col. Antonio Vergallo, commander of Italy's F-35 detachment at Malbork Air Base, Poland.
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鈥淭he growth of the F-35 in Europe strengthens international partnerships, interoperability and warfighting capability, and emphasizes the importance the aircraft provides as a deterrent against potential adversaries,鈥 Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, program executive officer for the F-35 Joint Program Office.聽聽
By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will be stationed on the European continent across NATO member bases.聽
F-35s in the Indo-Pacific
The F-35 is the fighter of choice for key allies across the Indo-Pacific region. Numerous allies in the region are committed to and invested in the F-35, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.聽聽
In January, U.S. Marine F-35Bs conducted in Japan. The following month, South Korean F-35As conducted bilateral training with American F-22s and B-1 bombers.
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In March, U.S. Air Force F-35s deployed to Japan, U.S. Marine F-35Bs operated aboard amphibious assault carriers USS Makin Island and USS America in the East China Sea and supported Exercise Cobra Gold 2023; and Australian F-35s joined Exercise Tasman Shield 2023.聽聽
The following month, American F-35As trained with Japan, where U.S. Marine F-35Bs also conducted expeditionary operations.聽聽聽
In July, American F-35As conducted a marathon sortie to Japan for exercise Northern Edge 23-2. U.S. Air Force F-35As also trained with Marine F-35Cs and Australian F-35s Down Under, while Italian F-35s supported NATO training over the Adriatic Sea.
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In August, Italian F-35s trained with Japan, Australian F-35As supported , and American and Australian F-35s joined forces during Red Flag-Alaska 23-3. Japanese for the first time, to Australia.聽
In October, U.S. and South Korean F-35s trained together over the Korean Peninsula, and American F-35s trained with Japan over the East China Sea.聽
In November, U.S. Air Force F-35As deployed to Japan to bolster allied defense and deter threats in the Indo-Pacific. By 2035, more than 300 F-35s will be stationed across the Indo-Pacific.聽聽
鈥淭he continuous growth of F-35 interoperability in the Indo-Pacific was on full display this year.聽 The F-35 is boosting allied deterrence, continuing to strengthen national security and international alliances across militaries, governments, and industry in the region,鈥 said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Program with Lockheed Martin.聽聽聽
Operating from 42 bases and ships around the globe, the F-35 will continue to play a critical role in the integrated deterrence of the U.S. and allies.聽聽
Step Onto the Flight Line and 鈥淚nto the Cockpit鈥
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In 2023, we released a never-before-seen look inside the F-35 cockpit. The video explains the F-35鈥檚 differentiating capabilities, such as stealth, advanced sensors, information fusion, and network connectivity.聽聽聽
Looking forward, Block 4 upgrades will provide the most significant evolution capabilities for F-35 to date, including increased missile-carriage capacity, advanced non-kinetic electronic warfare capabilities and improved target recognition.
