The US Air Force has reduced the number of fifth-generation supersonic stealth F-35 fighters it intends to procure from Lockheed Martin Corp.
According to a Bloomberg report, a US defence department procurement request document that was sent to Congress asked for only 24 fighter jets instead of the 48 that was forecast earlier.
The US Air Force is the biggest customer of the weapon platform.
The move to reduce the number of fifth-generation aircraft may be part of the force's plan to comply with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to lower the projected military spending.
The Air Force now plans to seek $3.5 billion for the F-35 fighter jet, and another $531 million for advance procurement of materials for the fighter jet.
The Pentagon has also requested 12 of the Navy's carrier version of the F-35, a cutback from the 17 Congress approved for this fiscal year.
Bloomberg reports that the request the Air Force may undergo changes as it moves through Congress as Lockheed Martin has supporters in Congress who may change the budget outlook for the fighter jet programme.