US finalises $30 billion F-35 deal for nearly 400 jets
The latest order caps off a year which saw Germany, Switzerland, and Finland select the F-35 over competing options. (Photo: US DoD)
The new contract includes aircraft for the US and a number of allies with the first jets to feature the latest hardware that powers Block 4 capabilities.
The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin have finalised a contract for the production and delivery of up to 398 F-35 jets for $30 billion, the company announced in the last days of 2022.
The agreement includes US DoD, international partner and Foreign Military Sales aircraft in Lots 15 and 16, with an option for Lot 17.
‘This contract strikes the right balance between what's best for the US taxpayers, military services, allies and our Foreign Military Sales customers,’ USAF Lt Gen Mike Schmidt, Programme Executive Officer, F-35 JPO, said in a statement.
‘The F-35 is the world's premier
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
![How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape]()
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
-
![Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion]()
Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion
The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.
