Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Pentagon and Lockheed agree on framework for at least 850 F-35s
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agreed on a 10-year framework for at least 850 F-35 fighter jets.
The deal concerns the US military’s fleet and would also cover spare parts, equipment and maintenance, according to the Pentagon.
The F-35 is a stealth aircraft, designed to evade detection, and a central part of Lockheed’s aircraft business.
The framework could be worth at least $78.2 billion, based on the price of the least expensive version of the plane.
Lockheed says it will put at least $7 billion into production and support, including supply chains and repair capacity.
The agreement is not a firm order, and Congress must approve the deal and funding before it can proceed.
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agreed on a framework for at least 850 F-35 fighter jets over 10 years.
The agreement is subject to approval by the US Congress, including approval of the required funding.
Lockheed Martin will invest at least $7 billion in initiatives to support the F-35 programme.
The framework aims to sustain production at 156 aircraft a year and includes parts, equipment and fleet maintenance.
The agreement is not a firm order, and its potential value is at least $78.2 billion, according to Reuters.
- Who
- The US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin.
- What
- They agreed on a 10-year framework for at least 850 F-35s. It is not a firm order and requires congressional approval.
- When
- Announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The agreement aims to strengthen and modernise the US F-35 fleet and support the programme’s industrial and logistical capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US Air Force submitted a force-structure report to Congress, according to Avia news.
US Air Force officials discussed the service’s prioritised needs for 2035 at a roundtable, according to Avia news.
The Pentagon announced a 10-year framework with Lockheed Martin for at least 850 F-35s.
- Aircraft
- At least 850 F-35s
- Term
- 10 years
- Potential value
- At least $78.2 billion
- Lockheed investment
- At least $7 billion
- Production target
- 156 aircraft a year
- Approval
- US Congress must approve the agreement and the associated funding
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What people are saying
we have fundamentally changed the way we stabilise the American defence industrial base so it can produce quickly and at scale
This investment will help strengthen current production capabilities on the assembly line, as well as in the supply chain, tooling and maintenance workforce