Only a quarter of US F-35s were fully mission-capable last year as maintenance and parts problems dragged down readiness, watchdog reports

A new report reveals only 25% of US F-35 fighters were fully mission-capable last year due to maintenance and spare parts issues, with readiness rates declining from 67% to 44% between 2021 and 2025. The Pentagon's $13.7 billion readiness plan faces risks like contractor reliance and cost gaps, as the F-35 program's total costs now exceed $2 trillion.