US Air Force says it needs 1,500 more fighters to meet future threats

The US Air Force says it needs to grow its fighter fleet by another 1,500-plus aircraft over the next decade to meet national defense requirements, according to a new report submitted to Congress. The unclassified, 10-year plan calls for a total of 1,558 combat-ready fighters, up from the current projection of 1,271 aircraft in fiscal year 2026. The increase would require faster production of F-15EX and F-35A jets and continued modernization of existing aircraft.

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