More Than 500 Units of F-35 Fighter Will Be Actively Operated in Continental Europe By 2030
International Military - You need to know that the most users of the F-35 stealth fighter are on the European continent. As explained from jsf.mil, until now there are 6 countries in Europe that have used the F-35. And European countries that use the F-35 are the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Italy, Denmark, and the UK.
Of the six countries that use the F-35 variant A, there are only 5 countries except the UK which uses the F-35 variant B. Meanwhile, there is 1 country that uses the F-35 variant A and variant B. It is known that the European country is Italy which combines the F-35. -35 B and A variants in the military.
You need to know that the five European countries that have used the F-35 are former F-16 users except the United Kingdom. Therefore, if the F-35 becomes a 5th generation fighter jet that plays a role as a replacement for the F-16 or 4th and 4.5th generation fighter jets. Apart from European countries that use the F-35, it turns out that there are European countries that have ordered this stealth fighter jet.
There are 3 countries in Europe that have ordered the F-35. These countries are Poland, Finland, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Germany and several other European countries are also very much interested in the F-35.
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| US F-35 Lightning II Fighter Air Base in Alaska |
There are allegations that the countries using the F-35 in Europe will be more than 15 countries. Considering that the current situation in Europe is not conducive due to the Ukraine-Russia war, making the F-35 an option. Plus, the F-35 offers exceptional capabilities in its class.
Therefore, if the F-35 will be one of the choices of 5th generation fighter jets that are suitable for use. Moreover, currently there are many European countries that are still using generation 4 to 4.5 fighter jets which are suitable to be replaced by the F-35. With the increasing number of F-35s on European soil later, it could be that European 4.5 generation fighter jets will not sell. In addition, there is information that 45 dozen more F-35s will be in service in Europe by 2030.
"Lockheed Martin estimates that by 2030, as many as 550 F-35 aircraft will be in service in Europe, including a squadron of United States F-35 aircraft operating at Lakenheath Air Base in the UK," defensesecurityasia.com wrote on October 17, 2022.
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| US F-35 Lightning II Fighter Taking Off |
From this explanation, 550 F-35 aircraft will be operational in Europe in the near future. The 550 F-35s are fighter jets ordered from several European countries that are interested in this stealth fighter jet as well as additional US F-35s. It was explained that the US fighter plane was in Europe based in England, precisely in Lakenheath. Positioning at UK Lakenheath Air Base makes for impressive cruising ranges.
You need to know that the F-35's cruising range can apparently reach 1,200 miles. That means US F-35s flown from Britain's Lakenheath Air Base could reach Belarus. Not only Eastern Europe, but 80 percent of Europe can be explored by the US F-35 without refueling in the air.
In addition, the F-35 dominates the fighter aircraft market in Europe. With countries in Europe getting the F-35 production fighter. The decision of European countries to choose the F-35 made in the United States may be more due to geopolitical considerations.
Against the backdrop of increasing tensions in Europe due to the conflict in Ukraine, which is now eight months old, the reason for choosing the F-35. Purchases of defense equipment worth billions of US dollars such as F-35 fighter jets and others can bring closer relations and cooperation. A country with Washington, both through pilot training and maintenance aspects of the F-35 aircraft.
Therefore, the geopolitical aspect and the decision to acquire the F-35 are also closely related to economic issues. There is information that the cost of purchasing the F-35 is lower than the cost of acquiring a fourth-generation aircraft. As stated by the Swiss government when the country spent US$6.5 billion to acquire 36 F-35 units described from defense security asia on October 17, 2022.