The F-35 Fighter Is Simply Untouchable Now

Article Summary and Key Points: The F-35 Lightning II, despite production issues and criticism from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), remains essential to the U.S. military and its allies.

-Musk’s preference for drones overlooks current technological limitations, as unmanned systems can’t yet match the F-35’s advanced capabilities in air superiority, stealth, electronic warfare, and global deterrence.

-Strong bipartisan Congressional support and extensive international adoption further secure the F-35’s future. Analysts and experts agree that, while drone technology is promising, it will complement—not replace—the fighter for years to come. Ultimately, despite DOGE’s scrutiny, the F-35 is here to stay.

The F-35 Isn’t Going Anywhere 

The F-35 Lightning II is the most produced fifth-generation fighter ever. It is a single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth strike fighter. A multirole combat aircraft designed for air superiority and strike missions, it also has unmatched electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

However, it is everyone’s favorite whipping boy due to its parts backlog, slowed production, and aircraft availability, which doesn’t meet government standards. Despite this, Lockheed Martin plans to build between 170 and 190 F-35s in 2025 for the United States and its allies. 

However, the F-35 has a very powerful enemy in the government. Elon Musk, the head of the Trump-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), took some shots at the F-35. He posted a video of Chinese drones while adding, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighters like the F-35,” while calling for the government to build more drones.

In his role as head of the President’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has been busy finding ways to reduce government waste, fraud, and abuse. 

While drones are indeed the future, the technology isn’t yet there to replace the entire fleet of the Air Force’s fighter and bomber aircraft. As the old saying goes, you fight with the Army you have, not the one you want. 

So the question comes down to, “Would Elon Musk and DOGE actually cut the F-35?”

The F-35 Has Plenty Of Friends in Congress And Around The World

Members of Congress won’t idly sit by and watch the F-35 get canceled. And while Musk has Trump’s ear on most things, the president won’t let this happen when the country needs the warplane.

“The F-35 Fighter is the best warplane on Earth today—period, end of discussion,” said Harry Kazianis, then senior director at the Center for the National Interest, speaking to Forbes. “However, while today drones can’t replace the firepower and once-in-a-generation technology the F-35 provides, the Air Force and Lockheed need to think carefully about how drones will shape the wars of the future.” Kazianis is now Editor-In-Chief of this publication. 

Roger Entner, a technology industry analyst of Recon Analytics, told Forbes, “Musk wants to do AI but hasn’t accepted that we’re not quite there yet. 

“The future will be AI-controlled UAVs, but there are so many issues today, notably latency, while all the current drones are subsonic and are relatively simple missile platforms.

“The F-35, along with the F-22 Raptor, is also a cut above what Russia and China has,” said Entner. “A modern UAV wouldn’t have a chance against a MiG-21 from 40 years ago, and certainly not against any modern platforms.”

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the F-35 is “the most advanced, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, a vital deterrent and the cornerstone of joint all-domain operations.”

Trump’s Former Acting SecDef Wants More Stealth Fighters

During Trump’s first term, acting defense secretary Christopher Miller called for a 5 percent increase in defense spending. He also suggested that the Pentagon purchase sixty to eighty fifth-generation stealth fighters annually and increase the number of Northrop Grumman B-21 Raiders the US Air Force could receive. However, he wasn’t a fan of the stealth fighter.

Trump’s desire to strengthen the US military through weapons modernization, innovation, sheer size, and equipment expansion is not incompatible with current DOGE efforts to significantly streamline Pentagon spending for increased efficiency. 

There is plenty of waste, fraud, and abuse at the Pentagon, which is why it has failed seven straight audits. But the F-35, for all the bad press it has gotten, is the aircraft that our Air Force and our allies are clamoring for, and for good reason. 

F-35A. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The F-35 is, perhaps, the most advanced aircraft in the world. Twenty countries, including the United States, operate it, and about 1,130 F-35s are in operation worldwide. 

In February, analysts at J.P. Morgan acknowledged concerns about potential cuts to the program but maintained that it is a critical capability for the US and its allies.

“For all the criticism, however, F-35 still delivers significant capability in a relatively affordable way, and this is why it continues to do well in international competitions,” they wrote. “Unmanned capabilities merit continued investment, but they are far from capable of replacing F-35 and may not be for some time.”

Musk’s expertise isn’t just cutting costs and waste; he could transform the Pentagon by making it run more efficiently. 

But the F-35 isn’t going anywhere.

F-35 JSF. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.

About the Author: Steve Balestrieri 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.