Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line
The F-35 is a popular combat jet with several different countries as customers around the world, including Italy. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?
The offer of a domestic final assembly line, alongside industrial offsets, is an often-used bargaining chip in the complex ecosystem of securing combat aircraft export contracts. But does rolling out its own aircraft from an in-country plant really make economic or industrial sense for the customer nation?
In the world of defence procurement, politics often trumps logic. However, political decisions regarding major investments, such as ordering a fleet of fast jets, usually need strong justification. These may surface as local economic benefits (especially jobs), which might also be rather nonsensical within the framework of a wider national industrial policy. Add
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
