US hopes to return to purchase of 72 fighter jets per year amid budget cuts

The US Air Force expects to return to the purchase of at least 72 F-15 and F-35 fighters per year in the near future, despite the fact that in fiscal year 2025 (from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), due to reduced funding, the Air Force will purchase only 60 fighters, the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General David Alvin, told a conference organized by the Defense One portal, Report informs.

"Currently, we believe that optimally, we would like to receive 72 fighters [per year]," Alvin said. According to him, the department is currently studying the current budget constraints and possible priorities for the purchase of equipment necessary for the Air Force. The general answered in the affirmative to a clarifying question about whether the US Air Force intends to return to the purchase of 72 fighters per year in the near future.