US and UK deny reports that some delivered F‑35s lacked radars or contained a 'safety switch'

Any confirmed delivery of aircraft without functional radars would directly reduce combat capability and complicate the program’s recent surge in handovers; Lockheed’s record 191 F‑35 deliveries last year cleared a backlog and underpins current fleet strength (see source:8ded03ff-4221-433e-a6f9-f6af5fb85453).

The allegations intersect with existing technical risks: a known nose‑mounting mismatch threatens integration of a next‑generation APG radar, a problem that would be amplified if aircraft are accepted without required sensors (see source:a5be4c37-ac5b-4ee2-9578-84b6c6d46a47).

Sustainment and readiness are already under scrutiny—the DoD watchdog reported the F‑35 fleet’s mission‑capable rate fell to about 50% in 2024—so accurate reporting and rapid resolution of fit/configuration issues are essential for operational planning and budgeting (see source:3b6079cf-5834-4c04-9827-41e517043c44).