Few weapons have altered the dynamics like the F-35 Lightning II. It is more than a sexy, fifth-generation fighter plane, though. The F-35 has transformed the way air power is being projected worldwide and has become a foundation of how air power is being used. It is not only the latest technology, but a fundamental transformation of military alliances, strategy, and how nations are preparing for the future of warfare.
The combat entry of the jet occurred in the Middle East, a region frequently at the forefront of weapon testing. Israel was the initial country to operate it in actual combat, employing its specially designed F-35I “Adir” variant in 2018. Although the missions themselves were largely classified, it’s commonly thought that the Iranian forces and proxy units in Syria were among the targets. Photos later emerged of the plane taking off in daylight over Beirut—a subdued, but clear message of potential. Israel has been using its F-35s on a routine basis in major missions ever since, including a series of attacks in the heavy 2024 escalation against Iran. Israeli pilots flew the jet in so-called “beast mode” in some instances—equipping it with external weapons for maximum payload, reserved only when stealth is not paramount.
On the American side, the U.S. has sent all variants of the F-35 to the region. In Operation Rough Rider, a campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen, F-16s and F-35s were hit by surface-to-air missiles. However, U.S. Navy F-35Cs and Marine Corps F-35Bs successfully conducted missions like drone shoot-downs and strikes. These missions showcased the agility of the jet—it’s a fighter, but it’s also a high-tech platform for collecting electronic intelligence and backing larger missions in complicated environments.
Subsequent controversy about selling the F-35 to the United Arab Emirates ensued. Following the Abraham Accords, the seemingly impossible became a tangible reality. The prospect of UAE pilots operating stealth fighters was a huge strategic draw, particularly as the U.S. was drawing back some of its presence in the Middle East and Iran’s power continued to expand. But reconciling this step with requiring Israel’s qualitative military advantage—a central U.S. policy—was problematic. Ideas were discussed: perhaps the UAE would receive a less capable model, or Israel would be granted additional support in exchange. Nevertheless, the jet’s heavy dependence on American software and supply chains means no purchaser can sustain it entirely on its own—a structural check that provides comfort to Washington as well as Jerusalem.
In Europe, the F-35 is transforming the map. Russia appeared to have a dominant air power edge along NATO’s eastern border not long ago. Today, the situation looks different. Thirteen nations, many of them near Russia, have either received or have ordered F-35s. Countries such as Poland, Finland, and Norway are constructing a network of stealth-capable forces that provide a strong umbrella for NATO’s front. The F-35’s capability to jam adversary radars, gather battlefield information in real-time, and facilitate nuclear delivery gives serious bite to European defenses. Its deployment with NATO air policing operations in the Baltic region made it clear: the alliance is betting both on deterrence and the capability to strike back if attacked.
The Indo-Pacific, meanwhile, is quickly becoming another platform on which the F-35 is demonstrating its worth. Japan is gradually expanding its fleet, with plans to deploy more than 100 F-35As and dozens of F-35Bs. Bases such as Komatsu, which overlook the Sea of Japan, now accommodate these jets, strengthening the nation’s defense position against North Korea and Russia. The F-35’s stealth capabilities, sensors, and adaptability make it the perfect aircraft for defending disputed regions such as the Senkaku Islands. More significantly, it forges a military alliance between Japan and the U.S. through the sharing of training, missions, and even carrier operations. In a more volatile region, the F-35 not only secures airspace, but it is also a symbol of resolve and mutual security interests.
Yet exporting the F-35 is always a complicated choice. Every sale has geopolitical consequences. The U.S. must forever balance the advantages of equipping allies against the dangers of dispersing sensitive technology too broadly. Rich nations such as the UAE can stomach the high price tag, but others depend on military assistance or loans. Then there’s the chain reaction effect: once one country has it, the neighbors want it as well. And those excluded might seek alternative sources—Russia’s Su-35, say, which threatens to kindle regional arms races and shift allegiances.
Enemies have taken heed. Russia, further entrenching its relationship with Iran, has begun delivering military equipment to Tehran—small quantities of Su-35 fighters and new radar. Although these systems are not equal to the F-35, they are still an attempt at altering regional balance, albeit a limited one.
Pakistan and Egypt are in, even though the world’s pull in this area is not all-encompassing yet. The big jump is in drone tech, with high-end drones altering the shape of air fights to come. As this race grows hot, it’s clear that the fight fields of tomorrow will not just have fighter jets, but also smart machines that can act and hit without a person guiding them.
Despite that, what makes the F-35 special isn’t merely its high-tech gizmos or stealth paint. Its actual superpower is the way it integrates militaries. It’s a common tongue for friends—a fighter that can communicate with other planes, fight across multiple systems, and perform in all types of missions.
That kind of integration doesn’t happen often, and it’s smoothing and improving joint operations to an extent never before seen. As U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall noted, the integration of Norway’s Joint Strike Missile onto the F-35 platform will provide NATO and partners with more powerful maritime strike capabilities. In an era in which global threats are changing rapidly and alliances are more crucial than ever, the F-35 is doing more than transforming air combat. It’s influencing who governs, who intimidates, and who ends up calling the shots in this new era of strategic competition.