Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025

Increased Fighter Aircraft Inventory: The bill increases the total number of required fighter aircraft in the Air Force and its reserve components to 1,900 by October 1, 2030 (Section 2).

Support for Unit Transitions: The Secretary of Defense is authorized to temporarily reduce the total aircraft inventory to help units transition from one combat-coded mission fighter aircraft to a new one (Section 2).

Guaranteed Squadron Maintenance: The Secretary of the Air Force must maintain at least 25 fighter aircraft squadrons of the Air National Guard (Section 5).

Protection of Existing Assets: The bill prohibits the retirement or reduction of funding for legacy or fifth-generation fighter aircraft assigned to the 25 existing Air National Guard squadrons, unless the aircraft is no longer mission capable due to accidents or degradation (Section 5).

Strategic Planning for the Guard: The Secretary of the Air Force must develop an annual plan to recapitalize the Air National Guard fighter fleet, including a timetable and a feasibility study for acquiring F-16 Block 70 aircraft (Section 6).

Strict Reporting Penalties: If the Secretary of the Air Force fails to submit required quarterly reports to congressional defense committees by the deadline, no funds may be obligated or expended for the Secretary's travel (Section 3).

Potential Budgetary Effects: The required Air National Guard recapitalization plan must include an assessment of the budgetary effects on the active components of the Armed Forces (Section 6).