The roar of new fighter jets streaking across the sky – a familiar image of American airpower – may be slightly muted in Fiscal Year 2025.
The US Air Force’s plan to bolster its fighter squadrons with a mix of cutting-edge F-35s and the proven F-15EX has hit turbulence due to budgetary headwinds, forcing a revision of its aircraft procurement plans.
While the service requested 72 new jets in its initial proposal, the recently released FY25 budget reflects a revised plan with a smaller price tag.
The Initial Vision: Modernization with a Punch
The Air Force’s initial proposal for FY25 envisioned a significant leap forward in fighter jet acquisition.
With a focus on both cutting-edge technology and proven reliability, the plan called for 72 new jets: 48 F-35A Lightning IIs, the latest stealth multirole fighter, and 24 F-15EX Eagle IIs, a modernized version of the venerable F-15. This ambitious acquisition strategy aimed to achieve two key goals:
Boosting F-35 Fleet
The F-35, with its advanced stealth capabilities and sensor fusion technology, represents the future of air combat. Increasing the F-35 fleet was crucial to maintaining air superiority and ensuring the Air Force stayed ahead of potential adversaries.
Replacing Aging Aircraft
The workhorse F-16 Fighting Falcon and the older F-15C/D Eagle variants are approaching the end of their service lives. Replacing these aircraft with the F-15EX, a powerful and versatile fighter with a large weapons-carrying capacity, was essential for maintaining combat capability.
Budgetary Realities: Trimming the Plans
However, the final FY25 budget proposal unveiled a more modest plan, reflecting the harsh realities of tight defense spending.
The roar of new fighter jets streaking across the sky – a familiar image of American airpower – may be slightly muted in Fiscal Year 2025.
The US Air Force’s plan to bolster its fighter squadrons with a mix of cutting-edge F-35s and the proven F-15EX has hit turbulence due to budgetary headwinds, forcing a revision of its aircraft procurement plans.
While the service requested 72 new jets in its initial proposal, the recently released FY25 budget reflects a revised plan with a smaller price tag.
The Initial Vision: Modernization with a Punch
The Air Force’s initial proposal for FY25 envisioned a significant leap forward in fighter jet acquisition.
With a focus on both cutting-edge technology and proven reliability, the plan called for 72 new jets: 48 F-35A Lightning IIs, the latest stealth multirole fighter, and 24 F-15EX Eagle IIs, a modernized version of the venerable F-15. This ambitious acquisition strategy aimed to achieve two key goals:
Boosting F-35 Fleet
The F-35, with its advanced stealth capabilities and sensor fusion technology, represents the future of air combat. Increasing the F-35 fleet was crucial to maintaining air superiority and ensuring the Air Force stayed ahead of potential adversaries.
Replacing Aging Aircraft
The workhorse F-16 Fighting Falcon and the older F-15C/D Eagle variants are approaching the end of their service lives. Replacing these aircraft with the F-15EX, a powerful and versatile fighter with a large weapons-carrying capacity, was essential for maintaining combat capability.
Budgetary Realities: Trimming the Plans
However, the final FY25 budget proposal unveiled a more modest plan, reflecting the harsh realities of tight defense spending.
The number of new fighter jets was scaled back to 60, with six fewer F-35As and F-15EXs each compared to the initial request. This reduction stems from congressionally mandated spending caps that have placed a squeeze on the Department of Defense (DoD) budget.
Impact on Modernization Goals
The revised budget plan raises concerns about how it might affect the Air Force’s long-term modernization goals.
Air Force officials, like Maj. Gen. Michael Greiner, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, acknowledge the impact, stating last March that the budget “marks the end of procurement for the F-15EX at a final total of 98 fighters.”
This falls short of the program’s initial goal of 144 aircraft.
While the F-35 program appears to be less severely impacted, with the reduction seen as a potential deferral rather than a permanent cancellation, it still creates uncertainty in terms of how quickly the Air Force can ramp up its F-35 fleet.
F-35A Lightning ll (Image source: DVIDS)
Silver Linings: Prioritizing Essential Areas
Despite the cuts to fighter jet procurement, the FY25 budget plan does show positive developments in other areas.
Recognizing the vital role aerial refueling plays in global power projection, the budget allocates funding for 15 new KC-46 Pegasus tankers.
These next-generation tankers will be crucial for extending the range of fighter jets and bombers, allowing them to operate effectively over long distances.
Additionally, the procurement of seven T-7A Redhawk jet trainers signifies a continued focus on pilot training and ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled aviators to fly the Air Force’s future jets.
Planned US Air Force Procurements 2025
F-15EX Eagle II (4.5 gen multirole strike fighter): 18
F-35A Lightning II (5th gen multirole stealth fighter): 42
T-7A Redhawk (Supersonic advanced jet trainer): 7
C-40C Clipper: 1
MH-139 Grey Wolf (Multi-mission helicopter): 8
KC-46A Pegasus (Strategic tanker): 15
Numbers may not add due to rounding
Looking Ahead: Uncertainties and Opportunities
The initial budget request might not be the final word.
The upcoming congressional markup process offers a chance for lawmakers to adjust the spending plan.
By allocating additional funding, Congress could help the Air Force bridge the gap between its current budget limitations and its long-term modernization goals.
Furthermore, the possibility of a supplemental appropriation package similar to the one requested last year for Ukraine and Israel could offer an additional avenue for securing funding for new fighter jets.
However, whether such a package would include funding for fighters remains unclear.
Conclusion: Navigating Turbulent Skies
The US Air Force’s FY25 aircraft procurement plan highlights the delicate balancing act between military needs and budgetary constraints.
The service grapples with the crucial task of maintaining a modern and effective fighting force while facing financial limitations.
While the budget prioritizes essential areas like aerial refueling and pilot training, questions remain about the pace of fighter jet modernization.
Whether Congress provides additional funding or the Air Force needs to adjust its approach, one thing is certain: the Air Force’s quest for a fully modernized fighter fleet will continue to navigate turbulent financial skies.
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