F-35 acquisition cost rises to $536.2B amid upgrades
By The BriefBrief
A newly released Pentagon modernized selected acquisition report says the total estimated acquisition cost for the U.S. F-35 program is now $536.2 billion, covering planned airframes and engines. The figure is $51 billion higher than the $485.2 billion total in the prior 2023 report, with inflation and rising upgrade costs cited as drivers.
WHO:Pentagon F-35 Joint Program Office
WHAT:Pentagon acquisition report updates the F-35 program’s total estimated acquisition cost upward, citing inflation and higher upgrade costs.
WHEN:Reported Aug 28, 2026 at 3:39 PM ET
WHERE:USA
WHY:Inflation and rising costs for critical upgrades are increasing the F-35’s acquisition price.
Reporting from 2 identified publishers across this event arc.
