Lockheed receives contract 50 F-35s for foreign military sales

The modification will purchase 50 F-35s for foreign military sales customers including Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, Turkey, and Norway, among other recipients.

The contract also includes equipment and additional maintenance services for the foreign customers, as well as the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.

The work will primarily be conducted in Ft. Worth, Texas, and also at other national and international locations including Britain, Italy and Japan. The contract is expected to be completed by December 2020 with $2.2 billion in funds already obligated.

Of the nine countries who were original participants in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, including the United States, six have received jets for evaluation and training. Israel, Japan and the Republic of Korea are also participating under foreign military sales. Belgium and Finland have also been evaluating the fighter as a replacement for their respective F-16 and F/A-18 fleets.

Components for the F-35 are manufactured in all partner countries, and Final Assembly and Check Out facilities are located in Ft. Worth, Texas, Cameri, Italy, and Nagoya, Japan.

The F-35 Lightning II 5th generation stealth fighter is slated to replace much of the U.S. fighter fleet and many foreign air forces. The U.S. is by far the largest customer, with an expected procurement of well over 2,000 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Foreign customers are also expected to purchase hundreds of the aircraft, including key members of NATO.