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
-
![“Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform]()
“Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has promised to usher in a new era of “military drone dominance”.
-
![Norway cleared for possible $2.6 billion HH-60W helicopter FMS]()
Norway cleared for possible $2.6 billion HH-60W helicopter FMS
The possible sale for nine HH-60W makes Norway the first Foreign Military Sale customer for the rescue and combat helicopter and adds to the country’s ongoing acquisition of Sikorsky-made helicopters.
-
![Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports]()
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
