The F-22 and F-35 are two advanced military aircraft that serve different roles in the United States military and other friendly militaries worldwide. While the F-22 is considered the pinnacle of fighter jets, the F-35 is designed to be a versatile multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of adapting to various mission requirements.

The F-35 is often described as a Swiss Army knife due to its ability to perform a wide range of tasks. It was developed by the U.S. Air Force to replace several fighter and ground attack aircraft, including the F-16, F-18, and A-10. It is also replacing the Harrier “jump-jet” in the Marine Corps. This makes the F-35 a crucial asset for the United States military and its allies.

Unlike the F-22, which has not been exported and is unlikely to be, the F-35 has been adopted by many countries. The United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, and Germany have all acquired the F-35 for their respective militaries.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, has delivered over 965 Lightning IIs to these nations, compared to the limited number of 183 F-22 Raptors in existence. This demonstrates the widespread adoption and popularity of the F-35 among friendly nations.