Summary and Key Points: The F-35 Lightning II remains controversial due to its high lifetime cost of approximately $2.1 trillion over 94 years.
-The Joint Program Office (JPO) attributes this expense to the project’s massive scale, concurrent development and production, lengthy duration, and inflation.
-Critics, including Elon Musk, argue the jet is overly complex and expensive, suggesting a shift toward unmanned aircraft instead.
-Supporters highlight the F-35’s unmatched stealth, avionics, and tactical advantages in modern warfare.
-While debates continue regarding its cost-effectiveness, the program’s scope and capabilities maintain its position as a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy, despite ongoing challenges and scrutiny.
Why the F-35 Lightning II Costs So Much—and If It’s Worth the Price
The F-35 Lightning II has been a divisive topic for many years now. Critics argue that the project is far too costly for what the jet offers, while others staunchly defend it. The total cost of the project is said to be around $2.1 trillion, which sounds like a staggeringly high amount of money to spend on a single fighter jet.
However, the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) issued a few statements on the subject to try and explain why the project’s costs run so high.
$2.1 Trillion for the F-35 Program? Over 94 Years…
The JPO in a press release explained that the $2.1 trillion F-35 program estimate, which came to light last spring, is an all-inclusive figure covering 94 years of procurement of an eventual 2,456 aircraft. The price includes development, upgrades and modifications, spare parts, operating costs, personnel, the depot enterprise, and even fuel, among other expenses.
It also includes foreign investment.
This press release was issued at a very important time for the F-35, as the Pentagon and the Office of Management and Budget are finishing the 2026 defense budget.
Officials in the Trump administration have voiced their criticism of the F-35 program, with Elon Musk going so far as to call the jet a victim of a broken requirements process.
Musk and other officials have previously derided the concept of manned aircraft altogether and called for the exclusive development of unmanned and autonomous aircraft. How much influence Musk will have over the future of the F-35 program remains to be seen.
Why the F-35 Program is So Expensive
The JPO sheds more light on the question of why the F-35 program costs so much.
There are three factors that make the F-35 project as expensive as it is. Scale is the first: The F-35 is one of the largest single air-system procurements by the U.S. Department of Defense in recent history. The plan is to eventually procure around 2,000 units. These units need to be produced, equipped, and sustained throughout their service lives, and they will need to implement improvements along the way.
The second factor is concurrency. So far, the F-35 program has already spent a long time in development, and that has built up quite a bill.
“The program’s 40 years of development and modernization, along with simultaneous efforts in development, production, and sustainment, contribute to its increased complexity and cost,” the JPO said.
The third factor is duration. The F-35 program was planned to span almost a century. This makes the program one of the largest in terms of scale and scope. A program of this size naturally requires management, development, and sustainment.
The cost is not just the price tag on the aircraft; it is a signpost that reveals how vast and comprehensive the project is. Naturally, a project of such scale requires a hefty financial commitment.
Inflation is a silent factor behind the cost as well. The JPO pointed out that the overall figure is “calculated in ‘then-year’ dollars,” meaning it is inflation-adjusted to reflect the projected value of money over the program’s 94-year span.
Around $1 trillion of this total is influenced by inflationary effects over the years. In simple terms, as inflation has increased in recent years, so also has the cost of the overall project.
Is the F-35 Worth the Cost?
The F-35 program is vast and expensive, but is it worth the cost?
The answer depends largely on what you prioritize. On one hand, the F-35 is arguably the most advanced jet in the world right now. With advanced stealth technology and avionics, the Lightning II is far beyond its competitors in terms of technology.
These features provide a substantial tactical advantage, allowing pilots to operate in contested environments with reduced risk of detection and superior situational awareness. The long-term benefits of maintaining air superiority justify the substantial investment in the program.
On the other hand, the F-35 program has been plagued by cost overruns, technical issues, and delays, raising questions about its overall value. The estimated $2.1 trillion lifetime cost is a significant burden on defense budgets, potentially diverting funds from other critical areas.
Critics also argue that the F-35’s performance does not significantly surpass existing aircraft—at least not enough to justify its high price tag.
In addition, the program’s complexity and maintenance requirements pose ongoing challenges, potentially compromising operational readiness. These factors suggest that alternative investments in more cost-effective and reliable platforms might better serve national defense interests.
Again, whether the F-35 is worth the cost usually comes down to individual preference.
For my part, I think the F-35 is a worthwhile investment for the U.S. While it veers a bit on the expensive side, as the JPO points out it is one of the longest-running and most comprehensive projects the DoD has undertaken in modern history.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
