The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to maintain and modernize the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by setting minimum aircraft numbers, prioritizing advanced aircraft for existing squadrons, and ensuring the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities are preserved and upgraded.
Michael "Mike" Crapo
Senator
ID
The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to maintain and modernize the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by setting minimum inventory levels, requiring regular reports on the status of the fleet, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. It mandates the Air Force to retain a minimum number of fighter aircraft, with allowances for temporary reductions during unit recapitalizations, and ensures the Air National Guard maintains a specific number of fighter squadrons while receiving modern aircraft. The Act also includes provisions for annual recapitalization plans for the Air National Guard and defines key terms related to fighter aircraft.
New Bill Mandates 1,900 Air Force Fighters Through 2030, Prioritizes Modernization and Air National Guard
The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 sets clear requirements for the U.S. Air Force's fighter jet inventory. This legislation mandates maintaining a minimum of 1,900 total fighter aircraft, including active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard planes, until October 1, 2030. It also establishes strict reporting rules and directs how new, advanced aircraft should be distributed, particularly focusing on upgrading existing units and preserving the Air National Guard's capabilities.
Keeping the Fleet Ready: Numbers and Upgrades
The core of the bill (Sec. 2) locks in a floor of 1,900 fighter jets, with at least 1,200 designated as primary mission aircraft. There's a bit of wiggle room: the Secretary of Defense can temporarily dip the total count to 1,800 for up to two years, but only to facilitate units transitioning to new planes. This requires notifying Congress beforehand. To accelerate modernization, the bill (Sec. 4) requires that at least three out of every four new "Advanced Capability Fighter Aircraft" – defined specifically as new F-16 Block 70/72s, F-15EXs, or later models (Sec. 7) – must go to existing Air Force squadrons. For every new plane received, a squadron can retire one older "Legacy Capability Fighter Aircraft" (like older F-16s, F-15s, or A-10s).
Eyes on the Inventory: Reporting Rules
Accountability gets a boost under this legislation. Section 3 mandates quarterly reports from the Secretary of the Air Force to congressional defense committees, running through September 30, 2030. These aren't just simple counts; they must detail the number and type of new jets received (including fifth-gen and next-gen), the vendor, how they're distributed across the Air Force, Reserve, and Guard, which legacy jets are being retired, and identify any units undergoing recapitalization, especially those using the temporary inventory reduction allowance. The reports also need to flag any "notable trends, issues, or challenges" like delivery delays. If a report is late? The bill grounds the Secretary of the Air Force's travel budget until it's submitted.
Guarding the Guard: Fleet Preservation and Planning
The Air National Guard (ANG) receives specific attention. Section 5 mandates maintaining at least 25 ANG fighter squadrons through October 1, 2030. Critically, it prohibits retiring or defunding aircraft from these squadrons unless a plane is deemed unfit for repair or is replaced one-for-one with a new advanced or fifth-generation fighter. Furthermore, Section 6 requires the Air Force Secretary, coordinating with the ANG Director, to develop an annual plan to modernize these 25 ANG squadrons. This plan must outline a strategy and timeline for upgrades, evaluate budget impacts, assess readiness effects, and specifically consider acquiring F-16 Block 70s for the Guard. This plan needs to be submitted to Congress yearly by July 1st.