Despite decades of negative press, the F-35 Lightning II is not only the world's most advanced tactical fighter jet but also a bargain price when measured by fly-away costs. This may seem strange given how many sensational headlines have been running saying the jet is over budget and will cost $2 trillion over its lifespan (an impressive sounding figure almost never given any context). The F-35 is cheaper than fourth-generation fighters Incredibly, the F-35 is cheaper than many of its fourth-generation competitors.
In mid-2024, Defense News reported the cost for new F-35s (for lots 15 through 17) had put the average flyaway costs of the F-35A (Air Force variant) at $82.5 million, the F-35B (STOVL variant) at $109 million, and the F-35C (carrier variant) at $102.1 million (note that future blocks may cost different amounts).
This is less than the estimated cost of China's fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon (at $110 million)—even though its new stealthy engines have yet to be stalled. According to Air and Space Forces Magazine , the Air Force's F-35A costs less than the F-15EX Strike Eagle II. This means the F-35 is cheaper than the two main European fighters - the French Dassault Ralafe cost around $125 million in 2023, and the Typhoon Eurofighter costs around $124 million for export (although AeroTime suggests it may cost just $50 million for the program participants like the UK and Germany).
It is possible these estimates for Ralafe and Eurofighter are at the higher end a.
