Gaps in Pentagon records for $31 billion in F-35 parts could make it harder to buy the right spares

The United States Government Accountability Office reported on 9 November 2026 that incomplete Pentagon records make it difficult to determine what F-35 spare parts are available and where they are held. The Defense Department estimates the shared inventory at 26 million parts worth about $31 billion across more than 700 facilities worldwide. In March 2026, roughly 17,000 parts undergoing maintenance or repair, valued at about $1.3 billion, were missing from official property records. The auditors warned that these gaps could complicate purchasing decisions as the Pentagon plans about $13.7 billion in additional sustainment spending.