National Guard leaders call for multiyear procurement to accelerate fleet modernization
In an unprecedented move, adjutants general from 22 U.S. states have jointly urged Congress to significantly increase fighter jet procurement, warning that the U.S. Air Force risks falling behind global competitors without immediate action.
In a letter sent to lawmakers, the National Guard leaders called for multiyear funding to support the acquisition of between 72 and 100 new fighter aircraft annually. The proposal centers on modernizing the total Air Force fleet—including Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve components—through expanded purchases of the F-35A Lightning II and F-15EX Eagle II.
The letter marks the first time all adjutants general from states operating Guard fighter units have collectively endorsed a unified procurement strategy, underscoring growing concern over the aging fleet and operational readiness.
Procurement Targets Far Exceed Current Plans
The generals outlined a minimum procurement target of 72 aircraft per year, consisting of 48 F-35As and 24 F-15EXs. Their preferred goal is even more ambitious: 108 aircraft annually, split between 72 F-35As and 36 F-15EXs.
Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, head of the Idaho Air National Guard and the state’s assistant adjutant general, emphasized that the figures apply to the entire Air Force, not just Guard units. He told Air and Space Forces Magazine that the coordinated letter reflects a unified stance among senior National Guard leaders.
The group has begun direct outreach to congressional delegations to build support for the proposal.
However, current budget projections fall well short of these targets. Air Force data show requests for F-35A procurement declining from 48 aircraft in fiscal 2024 to 24 in 2026, before rising slightly to 38 in 2027. Over the past decade, the highest annual request for the aircraft was 62 units in 2020.
For the F-15EX, planned acquisitions range between 18 and 24 aircraft annually through 2027. Notably, the Air Force has not purchased more than 72 fighters in a single year since 1998.
Smith warned that maintaining procurement below the 72-aircraft threshold would prolong reliance on aging platforms, stating that many squadrons would remain equipped with aircraft dating back to the 1970s. Under such conditions, much of the budget would continue to be consumed by maintenance rather than advancing combat capability.
Aging Fleet and Operational Strain Drive Urgency
The push for accelerated procurement comes amid increasing operational demands, including ongoing missions such as Operation Epic Fury in Iran. According to the letter, these deployments are accelerating wear on both aircraft and personnel, intensifying the need for modernization.
Even under an aggressive procurement scenario, Smith noted that replacing legacy aircraft—including A-10s, F-15Cs, and eventually F-16s—could take 10 to 15 years. While newer aircraft offer improved reliability, parts availability, and maintenance efficiency, the transition timeline remains lengthy.
Complicating matters further, earlier-generation F-35 models are already approaching their own replacement cycles, raising concerns about keeping pace with evolving threats.
Multiyear Contracts Seen as Cost-Saving Measure
A key component of the proposal is the adoption of multiyear procurement contracts. The adjutants general argue that such agreements would stabilize production rates, strengthen the defense industrial base, and enable long-term planning for workforce and supply chains.
A 2025 report from the Congressional Research Service estimates that multiyear contracts for the F-35 program could reduce costs by 5 to 15 percent. The generals contend that this approach would not only deliver savings but also ensure consistent aircraft delivery over time.
Guard Units Face Uncertain Future Without Action
The letter also highlights disparities in modernization planning between Active Duty and National Guard units. The Air National Guard currently operates 13 of the Air Force’s 33 F-16 squadrons—representing 39 percent of the fleet—and 45 percent of combat-coded F-16 units.
Of the Guard’s 24 fighter squadrons, only 11 have received or are scheduled to receive upgraded aircraft. The remaining 13 lack clear recapitalization plans once their existing jets are retired.
The adjutants general explicitly rejected the practice of transferring older aircraft from Active Duty units to the Guard, arguing that such measures do not constitute true modernization.
Broad State Support Signals Growing Pressure on Congress
The letter was signed by adjutants general representing Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Each of these states operates Air National Guard fighter units that stand to benefit from increased procurement and modernization efforts.
As congressional budget negotiations continue, the coordinated push from National Guard leadership adds new urgency to the debate over defense spending priorities—particularly as the Air Force grapples with maintaining readiness in an increasingly contested global environment.
