Lockheed Martin set for record fighter jet deliveries amid rising global demand

Industry analysts report that Lockheed Martin’s current annual capacity is about 156 units. The Joint Program Office expects a new high for the decade with up to 190 deliveries in 2025. However, approximately 18% of these may be aircraft previously built but stored due to upgrade delays related to Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3).

Production at Fort Worth’s Air Force Plant 4 employs around 17,000 people across a mile-long assembly flow. Meanwhile, Greenville’s F-16 line has expanded facilities aiming for up to four jets per month by late 2025. Recent investments have supported this growth as export backlogs rise; as of early 2025, there were orders for about 117 Block 70/72 F-16s.

Upgrade delays have affected totals. The integration of TR-3 halted full-capability jet deliveries from mid-2023 until July 2024, causing finished airframes to be stored temporarily. As restrictions eased, backlogged jets began flowing out.

Demand remains strong from both US forces and allied customers such as Bahrain—who had received most of their order by July—and Slovakia—with seven out of ten delivered by year-end. Bulgaria began receiving its first aircraft in April 2025. Morocco is set for deliveries beginning in 2026.

The company’s ability to meet demand relies on steady US funding and signed export contracts. A recent contract shift led Greenville’s site to reduce staff by ten percent.

Compared globally, Lockheed Martin’s scale stands apart from other manufacturers such as Dassault Aviation (Rafale), Eurofighter GmbH (Typhoon), Saab (Gripen), Russia’s Sukhoi lines, China’s state-owned factories producing J-series fighters, and India’s HAL Tejas program—all producing fewer aircraft annually than Lockheed Martin.

Russia produces about two dozen or more fighters yearly but faces supply-chain issues due to sanctions. China continues scaling up stealth fighter production but remains behind in interoperability compared with the F-35 program.

Despite these challenges—including supply chain shocks and evolving geopolitical risks—Lockheed Martin's production rate outpaces competitors and supports both national defense priorities and international partnerships through sustained output into the next decade.