Only a quarter of US F-35s were fully mission-capable last year as maintenance and parts problems dragged down readiness, watchdog reports

Only a quarter of the US F-35 stealth fighters were fully mission-capable last year, according to a watchdog report highlighting significant maintenance and parts issues. Despite billions of dollars invested, readiness rates have been declining, raising concerns about the aircraft's reliability and operational effectiveness. This situation underscores the challenges in ensuring that the costly fleet can perform as expected, impacting military planning and budget allocations. The ongoing issues also prompt scrutiny over the program's management and future funding decisions.