Lockheed Martin has forecast annual production of at least 148 F-35 fighter jets. (Photo: USAF)
Lockheed Martin has said it expects to produce between 148 and 153 F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets in 2022, representing a small increase on the 142 aircraft manufactured in 2021.
Should the new annual target be met, overall production would exceed 900 units, reinforcing a dominant market position for Lockheed Martin which could also improve if new orders arrive from Greece, Germany and the Czech Republic.
A flood of orders has already arrived from Asia-Pacific customers including Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, with Thailand also expressing interest.
‘We’re watching the US government decide how they’re going to respond to that request
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The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.
The DroneShield US subsidiary is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country and has expedited the process to double its domestic production capacity in at least four months.
The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.
As Europe confronts its most unstable security environment since the Cold War, defence planners recognise that advanced, dependable and flexible Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are central to a force that competes and prevails on today’s battlefield.
The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.
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