In the United States, it has recently become known that the situation with the combat readiness of the F-35 fighter jets has deteriorated significantly. According to Air Force General Michael Schmidt, only about a third of the more than 540 fighters can complete all their combat missions, and only 53,1% of them are suitable for training, sorties and demonstration sorties. This is a serious problem for the American army, which must have a fleet of air forces ready for combat.

Although the general's report did not give specific reasons for this situation, several factors have already been mentioned, including the lack of spare parts, frequent breakdowns of engines and other components, and long repair times. The situation has gotten even worse in recent years: in 2020, the average fighter jet was 69% partial and about 39% full, according to the U.S. Accounts Office.

According to General Schmidt, this state of affairs is unacceptable and maximum fighter readiness is his top priority. He plans to increase the readiness level of fighters by at least 10% within a year. However, this can be a daunting task as parts shortages and component problems are issues that cannot be resolved immediately.

The situation with the F-35 is not only a problem for the US military, but also for the manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which supplies these aircraft. Fighter readiness is a key indicator of their performance and has an impact on product credibility and future orders.