WASHINGTON (Realist English). The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday awarded Lockheed Martin a $12.5 billion contract to produce nearly 300 of the newest F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, expanding one of the Pentagon’s largest procurement programs.
According to a U.S. Navy statement, the contract modification finalizes production of 148 aircraft from Lot 18 and adds scope for another 148 jets in Lot 19. The deal builds on an $11.8 billion agreement announced in December 2024, bringing the combined value of lots 18 and 19 to about $24.3 billion.
Lockheed Martin said most of the aircraft will be assembled at its Fort Worth, Texas facility, with deliveries beginning next year. The company added that the per-jet price increase would remain below the rate of inflation.
“The F-35 Lot 18-19 contract represents continued confidence in the most affordable and capable fighter aircraft in production today,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Lockheed’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. “We are proud to support our customers and further solidify the F-35’s role in enabling peace through strength.”
More than 1,230 F-35s are currently in service worldwide across 12 nations, including the United States, Israel, and South Korea.
In addition to the main order, the Pentagon announced several supplementary contracts:
- A $101 million deal to purchase F-35 parts in advance to address potential shortages.
- A $137 million agreement to fund engineering changes for Lot 17 aircraft and mitigate supply chain risks.
- An $11.6 million award to redesign a sensor circuit card assembly, with completion scheduled for July 2027.
The F-35 program remains central to U.S. and allied air power modernization, combining stealth, advanced sensors and multi-role capabilities, though it has faced persistent scrutiny over costs and sustainment challenges.