The Pentagon has finally approved the continuation of the latest-generation stealth fighter jet program for the U.S. Navy, known as the F/A-XX. According to Reuters on Wednesday (October 8, 2025), the announcement came after several months of delays and represents a strategic move by Washington to strengthen military capabilities in response to China’s expanding military presence in the Pacific region.

“China is highly ambitious in developing sixth-generation aircraft prototypes and has deployed fifth-generation fighters and bombers. This decision is therefore seen as a key step to counterbalance those developments,” said Roman Schweizer, an analyst at TD Cowen.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided to proceed with the defense competition to select the company that will design and build the F/A-XX. Two major defense contractors, Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp, are now competing for the multibillion-dollar contract.

The F/A-XX jet is set to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which has been in service since the 1990s. According to sources familiar with the plan, the U.S. Navy could announce the contract winner as early as this week. However, last-minute technical and bureaucratic hurdles may still delay the final decision, as has happened before. Both the Pentagon and the Navy declined to comment officially.

The F/A-XX program is designed to feature advanced stealth capabilities, greater range and endurance, and integration with unmanned aircraft and carrier-based air defense systems. The jet is considered essential to ensure the Navy maintains a modern air combat capability on aircraft carriers in the 2030s and beyond.

Nonetheless, the project has faced challenges. Disputes between the Pentagon and Congress over funding had previously slowed progress. Initially, the Pentagon requested only US$74 million (approximately Rp1.23 trillion) to keep the project alive in its minimal development phase.

Several officials even suggested a three-year delay due to concerns over technical capacity and supply chains. Congress ultimately intervened, allocating US$750 million (Rp12.49 trillion) in the new budget law, plus US$1.4 billion (Rp23.31 trillion) for fiscal year 2026 to accelerate F/A-XX development. Despite this, the exact number of jets to be built, the total contract value, and project duration remain undisclosed.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy plans to purchase over 270 units of Lockheed Martin’s F-35C jets for its carrier fleet. Lockheed had previously participated in the F/A-XX competition but was removed from the selection process earlier this year. The first F/A-XX jets are expected to enter service in the 2030s, while the Super Hornet will remain in use until the 2040s.