Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree to produce 850 F-35 fighters over 10 years
Framework agreement for the production of 850 fighter jets requires Congressional approval.
Translated by Alqyas from Al-Jarida — Original source
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced on Thursday a ten-year agreement to produce 850 F-35 fighter jets.
This “framework agreement,” which the Pentagon said will contribute to the “modernization and expansion” of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program, still requires congressional approval and the provision of necessary funding.
The F-35, a joint project between the United States and several of its allies, is one of the most advanced military aircraft in the world. According to Lockheed Martin, more than 1,375 fighters of this type are deployed at various locations around the world.
Lockheed Martin noted that, if approved, the deal would provide Washington with a program that is “predictable, cost-effective, and flexible” for its fighters, highlighting expected savings of billions of dollars thanks to “long-term pricing and volume-based discounts in this sector.”
In return, the company will fund projects worth $7 billion to support F-35 aircraft, in exchange for a ten-year commitment from the Pentagon, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Michael Duffey, the Pentagon’s official responsible for acquisition operations, said in a statement issued by the ministry: “We have fundamentally changed the way we anchor the U.S. defense industrial base, enabling rapid and large-scale production.”
He added, “By aligning financial incentives with actual performance, we ensure that our fighters are equipped with the lethal capabilities they need to fight and achieve victory.”
