The Pentagon and manufacturer Lockheed Martin are negotiating a new $34 billion deal for new F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. Altogether there would be 478 stealth fighters.
That number of fighters would further increase the already large number of F-35 fighters currently in the three largest fighter operators, the USAF, the US Navy and the Marines.
And for that deal, Lockheed Martin would also get a reduction in the value of the fighter jets, as the Trump istration somewhat controls overspending.
“Once statutory certification is complete, we will be able to formally announce the final Flyaway Recurring Unit (URF) prices for each variant in each batch”, said Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, on June 10. “To date, I am proud to say that this deal has achieved an estimated savings of 8,8% from Lot 11 to Lot 12 F-35As, and an approximate average of 15% URF reduction across all Lot 11 variants. to lot 14. The framework estimates delivery of an F-35A for less than $80 million in lot 13, a year ahead of schedule.”
Lockheed Martin still believes international sales of the F-35 fighter are positive. The company sees worldwide sales of the fighter possibly reaching 4.600 units. The Pentagon said five more nations are interested in the fighter. one of these nations it is Poland that is very interested in buying the North American fighters.
Another major buyer of the F-35 is Japan, which will order another 105 examples of the Lockheed Martin fighter, thus reaching the rank of 2nd nation with more units of the stealth fighter.
source: Flight Global / Edition: Aeroflap
