Close-up of the world's most modern fighter jet that many countries want to buy
The F-35 stealth fighter, manufactured by the American defense technology corporation Lockheed Martin, is one of the most modern fighter jets in the world and has been registered to be purchased by many countries' militaries.
Many experts hail the F-35 as the "future of air power" in the world. After more than two decades of development and testing, this fighter jet was first deployed in real combat at the end of May, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
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Basically, the F-35 fighter is a single-seat, single-engine fighter equipped with many advanced weapons such as medium-range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, mixed attack missiles... This fighter model possesses many outstanding advantages in speed, stealth and accurate attack of targets.
The F-35 can therefore participate in support missions, intercept or approach and attack targets requiring high precision. The fighter can also bypass or limit losses against counterattacks by enemy air defense systems.
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| Close-up of the F-35 stealth fighter that many countries' militaries are lining up to buy. |
According to CNN, Lockheed Martin's F-35 project attracted 12 participating countries. Of these, 9 countries directly invested or contributed to the development of this stealth fighter, including the US, Turkey, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.
All of these countries, except Canada, Denmark and Türkiye, have received their first batches of F-35s. Three other countries, Israel, Japan and South Korea, have also acquired F-35s through foreign military contracts.
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Notably, Türkiye is expected to receive its first F-35 fighters tomorrow, June 21, despite opposition from the US Congress.
US media reported that on June 18, the US Senate passed a bill blocking the sale of F-35s to Türkiye after the Ankara government planned to buy Russia's S-400 air defense system.
Many US officials have expressed concern that a major Russian-made weapons system like the S-400 would be incompatible with weapons systems currently used by Türkiye's NATO allies.
Moreover, relations between Washington and Ankara have been deteriorating since Türkiye arrested American pastor Andrew Brunson on charges of plotting terrorism in the country.
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However, Mike Andrews, a Pentagon spokesman, said on June 19 that Lockheed Martin will still hold a handover ceremony for the first of 100 F-35s manufactured for Türkiye in Fort Worth, Texas tomorrow.
A US official revealed that Defense Secretary James Mattis still supports the delivery of advanced fighter jets, costing up to $100 million each, to Türkiye.
