Last year, a F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet, crashed off the airfield at the Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico after it had stopped at Kirtland Air Force Base for refueling. One important thing to note is that the F-35B Lightning II falls in the list of the United States Marine Corps (USMC)’s top 10 aircraft by fleet size. But which countries in the world have the most F-35s? Let’s find out.
An F-35 taking off
10. Denmark
The Royal Danish Air Force has transitioned from legacy F-16 Fighting Falcons toward the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II. Currently, 15 F-35As are in service, with six additional aircraft on order. The RDAF also fields specialized aircraft for maritime patrol, including four Bombardier Challenger 604 jets, and tactical airlift capability through four C-130J Super Hercules.
The rotorcraft in Danish Air Force’s include:
- 11 AS550 Fennec utility helicopters
- nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters (operated by the Danish Navy)
- 14 AgustaWestland EH-101 helicopters for search and rescue and transport.
For training, the RDAF operates 25 Saab MFI-17 Supporter basic trainers, 10 F-16BM conversion trainers (phasing out), and six F-35A conversion trainers.
Here are the details on the evolution of the nation’s F-35s.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Denmark selected the F-35A as the replacement for its F-16 fleet |
| 2017 | Danish Parliament approved a funding bill covering all program costs through 2026 |
| 2020 | First Danish F-35A progressed through production toward delivery |
| 2021 | Royal Danish Air Force received its first F-35A |
| 2021 | A Danish test pilot completed the first flight in a Danish F-35 |
| 2023 | First F-35A arrived in Denmark for operational service |
| 2025 | RDAF F-35s conducted their first Quick Reaction Alert mission |
| 2025 | Danish Ministry of Defence and RDAF declared Initial Operating Capability |
| 2025 | Denmark successfully completed a live F-35 multi-domain operations demonstration |
9. South Korea
South Korea has placed an order of 60 F‑35A aircraft. Two-thirds of these have been currently delivered or are in operation by June 2025.
The F‑35As fleet strengthens the country’s defense posture on the Korean Peninsula through its advanced sensor and networked warfare capabilities.
8. The Netherlands
Like the Danish Air Force, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), which operates from its two main bases – Leeuwarden and Volkel – transitioned from its fleet of F-16s to the F-35A Lightning II.
In late 2024, the Dutch government approved a defense package worth about €2.4 billion, which included funding for six additional F-35As, anti-submarine frigates (ASW), and NH-90 NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFH) for naval missions, as well as investments in refueling and engine-maintenance infrastructure at Volkel Air Base.
The following table gives us a glimpse into the evolution of the F-35 program of The Netherlands.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | First Dutch F-35 (AN-1) completed its maiden flight in Fort Worth, Texas |
| 2016 | F-35 made its public debut in the Netherlands for environmental testing |
| 2018 | Dutch F-35 training squadron established at Luke AFB, Arizona |
| 2019 | First operational Dutch F-35 (AN-3) delivered from Fort Worth |
| 2019 | First F-35 arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base |
| 2019 | First Dutch F-35 produced at Cameri, Italy FACO rolled out |
| 2021 | Initial Operating Capability (IOC) declared |
| 2022 | First F-35 delivered to Volkel Air Base |
| 2024 | Full Operational Capability (FOC) declared |
On 29 March 2024, F-35s began conducting Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) for the Benelux region, ending more than four decades of F-16 service in that mission.
From December 2024 through March 2025, four Dutch F-35As replaced German Eurofighters in the Ämari Air Base in Estonia to support NATO air policing missions. It marked the second time when Dutch F-35As were deployed on the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) missions, reported AeroTime.
During the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise, Dutch F-35s made history by transmitting live classified track data from the aircraft to the national command and control system, marking the first time when such a feat was observed outside the United States.
7. Norway
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has deployed its F-35s in in multiple NATO air policing rotations, including missions over the Baltic and Arctic regions. In addition to the 52 F-35A Lightning II jets in the fleet of the RNoAF, it also has five P-8 Poseidon aircraft, four C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, and 16 Saab MFI-15 Safari basic trainers that are used for pilot training.
The rotary-wing fleet includes:
- 18 Bell 412SP/HP utility helicopters
- six MH-60R Seahawk helicopters (which are on order to replace NH90s)
- 16 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters (that supplanted the Sea King fleet) all delivered by June 2025. For pilot training, the Air Force uses.
The following table gives us a glimpse into the evolution of Norway’s F-35 program:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Norwegian government selected the F-35 to replace F-16s |
| 2015 | First Norwegian F-35 completed its maiden flight |
| 2017 | First aircraft arrived at Ørland Air Base |
| 2018 | First drag chute deployment conducted in Norway |
| 2019 | RNoAF declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC) |
| 2020 | Conducted first NATO air policing deployment with F-35s |
| 2023 | Demonstrated agility with the first F-35 highway landing |
| 2025 | Norway fulfilled its entire Program of Record for F-35 acquisitions |
6. Israel
Israel’s F-35 program consists of a special version known as the F-35I “Adir”. The Israeli Air Force operates from Nevatim Air Base, where the following two squadrons are active:
- The 140th “Golden Eagle”
- The116th “Lions of the South”
In June 2024, Israel signed a deal to acquire a third Adir squadron (25 more aircraft), which will expand its total fleet target to 75, with deliveries beginning around 2028 – the year from which around 3 to 5 F-35s will be delivered to Israel Air Force. The transaction is funded by U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and is worth approximately $3 billion.
The following table gives us a glimpse into the evolution of Israel’s F-35 program:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Israel became the first Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer for the F-35 program |
| 2016 | First two F-35I Adir aircraft arrived in Israel |
| 2016 | Israel conducted the first flight of its F-35I Adir |
| 2016 | First F-35I officially received into the Israeli Air Force |
| 2017 | Israeli Air Force declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the F-35I |
| 2020 | Second F-35I squadron was stood up in the Israeli Air Force |
5. Italy
Italy operates both the F‑35A and F‑35B variants, with different forces operating different F-35 types:
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The F‑35A is used exclusively by the Italian Air Force.
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The F‑35B serves in both the Italian Navy and Air Force.
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The following table gives us a glimpse into the evolution of Italy’s F-35 program:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | First Italian-produced F-35 completed its maiden flight at Cameri |
| 2016 | First Italian F-35 made a transatlantic crossing |
| 2016 | First Italian F-35 arrived in-country at Amendola Air Base |
| 2018 | Italian Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for F-35A |
| 2018 | First Italian-made F-35B delivered to the Italian Navy |
| 2019 | Cameri MROU depot declared Initial Depot Capability |
| 2019 | First non-Italian aircraft (AN-9) delivered from Cameri |
| 2025 | First USAFE F-35 inducted at Cameri MROU depot facility |
| 2025 | Italy added 25 F-35 aircraft to the program of record for production at Cameri |
4. Australia
Its been more than a decade when The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) received its first F-35’s – the F-35A Lightning IIs in 2014. This marked the transition of the nation from the F-18 Hornet to a fifth-generation fighter fleet.
The Air Force’s pilots are trained for the F-35s at the Luke AFB in the United States. RAAF has its bases at the following locations:
- RAAF Williamtown
- RAAF Base Tindal
Australia’s F-35s are largely in Conventional takeoff and Landing (CTOL) mode and are equipped with the following:
- AN/APG-81 AESA radars
- AIM-120 AMRAAMs
- Link 16 datalinks
- JASSM-ER standoff missiles
The following table gives us a glimpse into the evolution of Italy’s F-35 program:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2014 | First Australian F-35 delivered |
| 2015 | First Australian pilot completed F-35 training |
| 2017 | F-35 made public debut at Avalon Airshow |
| 2018 | RAAF Williamtown squadron stood up |
| 2018 | First F-35 arrived at RAAF Williamtown |
| 2020 | First F-35A squadron declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC) |
| 2021 | Maintenance depot established at RAAF Williamtown |
| 2021 | First F-35 permanently based at RAAF Base Tindal |
| 2023 | Asia-Pacific regional F-35 warehouse reached IOC |
During the Talisman Sabre 2025 international military exercise (that was conducted from July 15 to August 1, 2025), two U.S. Air Force pilots flew RAAF’s F-35A Lightning II jets marking “the first-ever international interfly mission involving 5th generation fighters” demonstrating “a new level of interoperability among allied air forces within the global F-35 program.”
3. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a distinction that separates it from all the F-35 operators on this list. It was a founding Tier 1 partner in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Collectively, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy operate a fleet of around 40 F‑35Bs.
The UK hopes to procure 74 F‑35Bs. It also expects to operate 60–80 aircraft of this type by the end of the decade. Here’s a brief history into the evolution of the F-35 in Uk’s fleet:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | First UK F-35 delivered |
| 2014 | First UK pilot completed vertical landing training |
| 2018 | UK Ministry of Defence declared F-35 land-based IOC |
| 2018 | First of class flight trials conducted on HMS Queen Elizabeth |
| 2018 | F-35s permanently based at RAF Marham |
| 2020 | Royal Navy declared maritime IOC |
| 2020 | First aircraft arrived on HMS Queen Elizabeth |
| 2021 | UK F-35s participated in Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2021 |
| 2024 | Project Deimos demonstrated F-35 advanced interoperability |
| 2024 | F-35s participated in Steadfast Defender exercises |
| 2025 | UK announced intent to procure additional F-35As |
| 2025 | F-35s participated in Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2025 |
2. Japan
Japan’s is the largest customer of the F-35 outside the United States. It has placed an order for 147 F‑35s (105 F‑35As and 42 F‑35Bs) to replace its fleet of F‑4EJ Kai Phantoms. Japan’s F-35 will complement the nation’s F‑15J/DJ fleet.
[Note: Japan is the nation where the heaviest bomber aircraft of the World War II- the Boeing B-29 superfortress was deployed to drop the nuclear weapons. You can read about it in our guide below].
Top 5 Must-See Aircraft At The National Museum Of The US Air Force – Avio Space
Aviation publication Simple Flying reported that Japan will operate its F-35Bs from:
“.. the modified Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, marking Japan’s first deployment of fixed-wing naval airpower since World War II. The first B‑variant aircraft were delivered in 2024, with flight training and infrastructure upgrades underway at Nyutabaru Air Base”
and further added that the fighter jet will have:
- interoperability with the US and allies
- precision strike in contested environments
- rapid deployment flexibility
- Stealth & sensor fusion
- STOVL carrier operations
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Japanese Ministry of Defense selected the F-35A for JASDF modernization |
| 2016 | First Japanese F-35 (AX-1) completed its maiden flight in Fort Worth, TX |
| 2016 | First Japanese F-35 delivered to Luke AFB, Arizona for pilot training |
| 2018 | First operational F-35 delivered to Misawa Air Base, Japan |
| 2018 | Japan added 105 additional F-35s to its program of record under the Mid-Term Defense Plan |
| 2019 | JASDF declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron |
| 2020 | F-35 MRO&U depot at Komaki declared Initial Depot Operational Capability |
| 2020 | JASDF activated the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron |
1. United States
The United States is the largest operator of the F-35 Lightning II, fielding all three variants across the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The program forms the backbone of America’s fifth-generation airpower, with each branch operating the aircraft to meet its unique mission requirements.
Photo: Sdr Ldr Nikki Lofthouse | Wikimedia Commons
| Service | Variant(s) | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| United States Air Force | F-35A (CTOL) | 2011: First production F-35 accepted 2012: Eglin AFB ready for training 2014: Luke AFB received first 144 F-35As 2015: RAF Lakenheath selected as first European base 2015: Nellis AFB Weapons School receives first F-35A 2015: Luke AFB begins pilot training 2015: Hill AFB flies first combat-coded missions 2016: F-35A IOC declared 2017: First Red Flag participation 2018: First “elephant walk” at Hill AFB 2019: 158th Fighter Wing (Vermont ANG) receives F-35s 2020: Eielson AFB receives first F-35As |
| United States Marine Corps | F-35B (STOVL) / F-35C | 2011: BF-2 vertical landing on USS Wasp 2012: VMFA-121 receives first F-35B 2013: First operational F-35B vertical landing 2014: VMFAT-501 receives first F-35B 2015: F-35B IOC declared 2017: F-35B developmental test phase completed 2018: First combat mission over Afghanistan 2019: First combat deployment aboard USS Essex |
| United States Navy | F-35C (Carrier) | 2010: First F-35C test flight 2013: First F-35C delivered; VFA-101 established 2014: First arrested landing aboard USS Nimitz 2016: Sea trials and DT-III completed 2017: NAS Lemoore receives first F-35C 2018: Operational Test-1 aboard USS Lincoln 2018: Joint Strike Fighter Wing established 2018: VFA-147 completes carrier qualifications 2019: F-35C IOC declared 2020: First TOPGUN students trained in F-35C |
Comparisons of the largest F-35 operators
| Rank | Country | Fleet / Total Order | Variants in Use / Ordered | Notes & Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Denmark | 27 ordered, deliveries underway | A only | Some aircraft are still in the US for pilot training, with operational deliveries beginning in 2025 |
| 9 | South Korea | 60 ordered, ~39–40 delivered | A only | Fleet serves primarily as a regional deterrent in East Asia |
| 8 | The Netherlands | 52 ordered, ~42 delivered | A only | Includes training aircraft; full replacement of legacy F‑16s is in progress |
| 7 | Norway | 52 ordered, 52 delivered | A only | Provides coverage for Arctic regions and supports NATO northern flank operations |
| 6 | Israel | ~75 ordered, ~46 delivered as of 2025 | Modified F‑35A (“F‑35I/Adir”) | Locally upgraded for customized electronics, weapons, and electronic warfare capabilities |
| 5 | Italy | 75 F‑35As + 20–40 F‑35Bs (Air Force + Navy) | A / B | Cameri FACO facility is a central hub for assembly and maintenance in Europe |
| 4 | Australia | 72 F‑35As delivered (full order) | A only | First international partner to complete delivery of all contracted F‑35s |
| 3 | UK | ~60–80 F‑35Bs planned/ordered (some delivered) | B only | Operates from both land bases and Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers |
| 2 | Japan | 147 total: 105 F‑35A + 42 F‑35B | A / B | F‑35As replace older fighters; F‑35Bs allow operations from modified ship decks |
| 1 | USA | Planned: ~1,763 F‑35As for USAF; breakdown between Bs and Cs evolving | A / B / C | USMC adjusted its mix to increase carrier-capable F‑35Cs, complementing the F‑35A fleet |
Source for the comparison table: Simple Flying
Reference for the data in the table: www.f35.com