Europe's Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets Outnumber Russia's
Norway and the Netherlands have more fifth-generation fighter jets than Russia, while Australia may have triple the number of F-35s in service.
The world of fifth-generation fighter jets is dominated by a few key players. Among them, Russia's fleet is often overlooked in favor of its European counterparts. However, a closer look reveals that Norway and the Netherlands have more fifth-generation fighter jets in service than Russia.
## Norway's F-35 Fleet
Norway received its first F-35As in 2017, and by April 2025, Lockheed Martin had completed the delivery of the 51st and 52nd F-35As to the Royal Norwegian Air Force. This made Norway the first country to complete its program of record for 52 F-35As. As a result, Norway currently has roughly twice as many fifth-generation fighter jets in service as Russia.
| Country | F-35As in Service | | --- | --- | | Norway | 52 | | Russia | 20-30 |
The Netherlands is also nearing the end of its program of record for 58 F-35As, with around 50 already received. This puts the Netherlands' count at around double Russia's mid-2026 count.
## Australia's F-35 Fleet
Australia has a program of record for 100 F-35As but has decided to stop at three squadrons made up of 72 jets. This means that Australia could have as many as three times the number of fifth-generation fighter jets as Russia. With the estimate that Russia has 20-30 Su-57s in service, Australia's F-35 fleet would be significantly larger.
| Country | F-35As in Service | | --- | --- | | Australia | 72 | | Russia | 20-30 |
## European Countries with Larger Planned Fifth-Gen Purchases
The UK has purchased and received 48 F-35s (minus one destroyed) and is gearing up to place the next order for 27 jets. This will take its procurement to 74 jets (plus one lost). Britain's long-term F-35 fighter jet program remains unchanged at 138 jets. The UK Defence Journal reported in 2026 that the UK has reaffirmed this long-term target.
| Country | F-35s in Service | | --- | --- | | UK | 74 | | Russia | 20-30 |
Italy has increased its program of record for F-35s to 115 jets, while also purchasing more Eurofighters and developing the GCAP/Tempest fighter jet. Italy's F-35s are assembled in the country, as it hosts one of only two final assembly and checkout facilities for the F-35 outside the US (the other is in Japan).
## The US & China Are In Their Own League
Regarding fifth-generation fighter jets, Russia does not belong in the same league as the US and China. The United States remains the undisputed leader in fifth-generation fighter jets in service, with plans to procure a total of 2,456 F-35s across the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The US likely has around 1,000 fifth-generation fighter jets in service.
China may now have around 20 times as many fifth-generation fighter jets as Russia, while the United States has around 40 times. This is an imbalance that does not appear likely to change.
