Hating on the F-35 is a cottage industry, so I'm skeptical of attacks from that side of things. This news is about the signing of a performance-based (= plane availability) contract. I was working at a company that provided displays for the F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, and A-6 back in the late 70s. The F-15 and F-16 were having teething problems back then, being new. That the F-35 is now isn't all that surprising.