Pentagon, Lockheed agree deal for 850 more F-35 jets

· Security · United States

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced an agreement for 850 F-35 fighter jets over 10 years, in what would be the programme's biggest-ever deal. More than 1,375 F-35s are already in service with militaries around the world, most of them with the US. The agreement covers production lots spanning a decade and is intended to give the manufacturer and suppliers long-term certainty. The F-35 is the most expensive weapons programme in history and is flown by the US and allied air forces. The deal comes as Washington presses allies to raise defence spending and as demand for advanced combat aircraft grows.

Why it matters：A decade-long order locks in Western air power and supplier networks, and signals sustained demand for advanced weapons as allies raise defence budgets.

Key points

  • 850 jets over 10 years, the programme's biggest deal
  • More than 1,375 F-35s already in service worldwide, mostly with the US
  • The F-35 is the most expensive weapons programme in history

Sources (original reporting)

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