Lockheed Martin has secured a contract covering nearly 300 F-35 fighters for the three US services as well as international customers.
The contract between the company and the F-35’s Joint Program Office covers Lot 18 and Lot 19 aircraft, with deliveries to commence in 2026, according to Lockheed.
In a separate statement, the US Department of War (DoW)– formerly the Department of Defense – says that the value of the contract modification for the work is $12.5 billion.
A total of 296 aircraft is covered, with 148 falling in each lot.
The agreement finalises the terms for Lot 18, and “adds scope for the production and delivery of 148 Lot 19 aircraft”, says the DoW.
In December 2024, the department announced that 83 Lot 18 jets would go to the US military, with 62 going to international customers.
As for Lot 19, 69 aircraft will go to the US military and 79 to international customers.
Combined, the two lots cover 210 of the conventional take-off and landing F-35A, 52 of the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B, and 34 of the carrier capable F-35C.
“The F-35 Lot 18-19 contract represents continued confidence in the most affordable and capable fighter aircraft in production today,” says Chauncey McIntosh, vice-president and general manager of the F-35 programme at Lockheed.
“We are proud to support our customers and further solidify the F-35’s role in enabling peace through strength.”
