Pentagon, Lockheed Agree 10-Year Ordering Commitment For F-35s

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced a preliminary ten-year framework covering 850 F-35 fighters for US forces, additional international aircraft orders, initial spares, upgrades and sustainment. The plan would sustain output near 156 aircraft annually, while Lockheed commits at least $7 billion of its own funding to manufacturing capacity, suppliers, tooling and repair infrastructure. It is an ordering framework, not a firm purchase contract, and still requires multiyear authority, congressional funding and negotiations on prices and delivery schedules. The proposed lots span a decade of F-35 production and support for a growing operational fleet.