US Air Force Secretary Troy Mink said on X that the service life of the A-10 Thunderbolt in American forces will be extended through 2030.

In his view, the decision is meant to preserve the Air Force’s combat capability during the transition period while the country’s defence industry works to increase production of newer aircraft. Mink said the move had been made after consultations with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The US military had originally planned to retire the A-10 completely by March 31, 2026, but later revised that decision. Despite earlier plans to phase the aircraft out, the A-10 was used in the operation against Iran. During that campaign, the number of these aircraft deployed in the Middle East was raised to 30. According to media reports, the Pentagon continues to employ the A-10 as what has been described as a «flying arsenal» for precision strikes on ground targets.

The A-10 was developed back in the 1970s. Analysts say that in a modern high-intensity conflict the aircraft is seen as vulnerable because of its low speed, limited onboard electronics and exposure to advanced air-defence systems.