Air Force to Boost Fighter Jet Count by 2030, Guard Units Get Upgrade Priority

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 is basically a roadmap for keeping the Air Force's fighter jet fleet up to snuff through the end of the decade. The big change? The Air Force has to maintain a minimum of 1,900 fighter aircraft by October 1, 2030, up from the previous 1,800, with the combat-ready minimum going from 1,145 to 1,200. (Section 2). It also sets some rules to make sure both the active Air Force and the Air National Guard get the upgrades they need. This impacts everyone from pilots and maintenance crews to the communities around Air Force bases. It affects the balance of military spending and the overall size of the Air Force.

Keeping the Fleet Flying

The bill lays out some pretty specific requirements. For instance, the Air Force can temporarily dip below the 1,900 minimum if they're actively upgrading units to newer jets, but it can't drop below 1,800 and the dip can't last more than two years (Section 2). Think of it like taking your car in for a major overhaul – you might be without it for a bit, but you're getting a significant upgrade. They also have to tell Congress before they make any temporary cuts, naming the specific units getting the new planes. This is a big deal for transparency. For example, a squadron at a base in Arizona swapping out older F-16s for brand-new F-35s would trigger this notification. The Secretary of Defense can include this notification in a quarterly report. (Section 2)

Quarterly Check-Ups

Starting 90 days after this bill becomes law, and continuing every three months until September 30, 2030, the Secretary of the Air Force has to send a detailed report to the congressional defense committees on the state of the fighter fleet (Section 3). This isn't just a quick headcount. The reports have to include the number of new "advanced capability," fifth-generation (like F-22s and F-35s), and "next-generation" fighters received; which vendor supplied each new aircraft (think companies like Lockheed Martin or Boeing); and how many went to the regular Air Force, Reserves, and Air National Guard. They also have to report how many older planes were retired and from which units. If these reports aren't on time, the Secretary of the Air Force can't use funds for travel until the reports are submitted. That is some built-in accountability. (Section 3)

Guard Gets Some Love

One of the major focuses of this bill is making sure the Air National Guard isn't left behind. The bill specifically requires the Air Force to maintain at least 25 Air National Guard fighter squadrons between December 23, 2024, and October 1, 2030. (Section 5). It also prevents retiring, reducing funds, or designating as excess legacy or fifth-generation fighter aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard fighter squadrons with exceptions for aircraft deemed non-mission capable or uneconomical to repair on a case-by-case basis due to accidents, mishaps, or degradation. The bill also mandates a yearly plan for modernizing the Air National Guard's fighter fleet, mirroring the active Air Force's mix of older and newer aircraft. (Section 6) This means figuring out the funding needed for each squadron, each year, and assessing the impact on both active and reserve forces. They even have to look into getting F-16 Block 70s for the Guard. The Secretary of the Air Force has to submit a report to the congressional defense committees by July 1 each year through July 1, 2030, containing the plan. (Section 6)

Defining the Jargon

The bill clarifies what counts as an "advanced capability" fighter (new F-16 Block 70/72, F-15EX, and later variants), a "fifth-generation" fighter (F-22 or F-35), and "next-generation air dominance" fighter aircraft. It also specifies what "service retained" means. (Section 7). This helps prevent loopholes and ensures everyone's on the same page about what these terms mean.