Pentagon and Lockheed Martin near deal for 375 F-35 fighters

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WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Defense is nearing a handshake agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) for around 375 F-35 fighter jets over three years, three sources said on Monday, amid expectations of a price increase for the most common version of the jet due to lower quantities and inflation.

Exclusive: Pentagon nears F-35 jet deal worth about $30 billion - sources

The U.S. Department of Defense is nearing a handshake agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp for around 375 F-35 fighter jets over three years, three sources said on Monday, amid expectations of a price increase for the most common version of the jet due to lower quantities and inflation.

www.reuters.com

 

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I think it is misleading as it is part of the pre-existing buy in contracts. Will still end up with a 1000+ F-35s which is a massive capability

 

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U.S. Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conduct a bilateral air-to-air training exercise over the Netherlands, Feb. 22, 2022. (Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell/Air Force)

FARNBOROUGH, England — Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have reached a deal to deliver approximately 375 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters over the next three lots.

“We are pleased to announce that the Department and Lockheed Martin reached a handshake agreement for the next F-35 lot buy on a basis of 375 aircraft,” William LaPlante, the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, said in a statement.

Lockheed, Pentagon strike deal for next three lots of F-35s

“We really, really need those Block 4 capabilities,” Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said Saturday. “And so we want to make sure that the contract accomplishes that, and it will."

www.defensenews.com