The US Department of Defense has denied reports that the latest F-35 fighter jets are being delivered to the military without installed radar systems. This was reported by The War Zone.

The Pentagon said claims that F-35A aircraft from the latest production lot were accepted without radars are not true. A Defense Department spokesperson stated that F-35A jets from Lot 17 are being delivered with APG-81 radar systems installed.

At the same time, the report notes that work on integrating new systems continues under classified conditions.

Earlier media reports had claimed that since June of last year, the military had been receiving aircraft without radars due to problems with the new AN/APG-85 system. According to those reports, ballast was allegedly placed in the nose of the aircraft to maintain balance, and flights were conducted only alongside other aircraft.

The new radar is part of the large-scale Block 4 upgrade package, which has faced significant delays and cost overruns. The total projected cost of developing and operating the F-35 program through the 2070s is estimated at approximately $2.1 trillion.

In 2021, officials in Ukraine stated that US F-35 jets were vulnerable to Russian radar systems.

In December, it was reported that Romania plans to purchase 32 F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the United States for $6.5 billion.