Lockheed Martin and Pentagon finalize F-35 deal for up to 296 new fighter jets
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Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office finalized a deal for up to 296 new F-35 fighter jets. The agreement strengthens U.S. airpower while supporting allies and global defense sales.
Lockheed Martin confirmed on September 29, 2025, that it reached a final agreement with the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office to produce and deliver up to 296 F-35 fighter jets under Lots 18 and 19. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026, bolstering U.S. military readiness while supporting allied nations and Foreign Military Sales customers. The deal matters because it reinforces America’s defense edge and ensures global partners access to advanced U.S. technology.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II in flight. Under the new Lots 18–19 contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver up to 296 additional F-35s beginning in 2026, strengthening the jet’s role as the cornerstone of U.S. air superiority and allied interoperability. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
This newly finalized contract confirms Lockheed Martin’s continued dominance in the fifth-generation fighter domain and solidifies the F-35’s future as the core of Western airpower for the next two decades. The announcement follows months of negotiation after a “handshake agreement” was initially reached in late 2024, during which Lockheed advanced its own funds to sustain production and shield the supply base from disruption. That interim phase is now closed with full contractual authorization for Lots 18 and 19.
Lockheed Martin emphasizes that the average price increase per aircraft in Lots 18 and 19 remains below the U.S. inflation rate—an important data point amid continued concerns about rising defense procurement costs. “The F-35 Lot 18–19 contract represents continued confidence in the most affordable and capable fighter aircraft in production today,” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to support our customers and further solidify the F-35’s role in enabling peace through strength.”
This contract helps secure the production line’s continuity, avoiding the sort of industrial pause that could endanger lower-tier suppliers. It also keeps global delivery schedules aligned with key modernization timelines across NATO and allied air forces. With more than 1,230 aircraft currently in service and over 1 million flight hours logged across 12 operating nations, the F-35 program has reached an operational maturity that few tactical fighter programs ever achieve. Lots 18 and 19 now extend that maturity deeper into the global fleet.
The agreement also plays a pivotal role in supporting the transition to Block 4 capabilities, which are central to the aircraft’s next evolution. Block 4 upgrades promise over 80 enhancements, including improved radar and sensors, expanded weapons integration, upgraded electronic warfare suites, and more robust data fusion. Although these advanced features have faced delays in development and integration, Lots 18 and 19 are expected to include hardware configurations that are either fully Block 4-ready or rapidly upgradeable to that standard once software becomes available.
However, the contract is not without risk. Defense officials and industry experts continue to flag supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly in electronic warfare components, high-end microprocessors, and thermal management systems. Even with cost growth contained, downstream pressures from parts shortages or geopolitical trade restrictions could impact future lots unless actively mitigated. The Lockheed–JPO agreement will need to absorb those risks without triggering further renegotiations.
Additionally, maintaining affordability depends heavily on sustaining production volumes. If the U.S. or partner nations reduce annual procurement rates due to budget constraints, the per-unit cost of future jets could rise. For now, the commitment to nearly 300 aircraft across Lots 18 and 19 supports pricing stability and helps maintain industrial scale across the supply chain.
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed to perform a wide range of missions with advanced survivability, situational awareness, and networked lethality. Available in three variants—conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff/vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-capable (F-35C)—the jet combines stealth with advanced sensors and integrated mission systems to penetrate contested airspace and deliver precision effects. For the U.S. Air Force, accelerating the deployment of the F-35 is critical to replacing aging fourth-generation platforms, countering near-peer threats, and maintaining global air dominance in increasingly contested environments. The fighter’s interoperability with allied forces and its ability to serve as a force multiplier across domains makes it a cornerstone of U.S. airpower strategy through the 2030s and beyond.
Strategically, the finalization of this contract sends a strong message to allies and adversaries alike: the United States remains fully invested in maintaining technological air superiority, and the F-35 remains the centerpiece of that strategy. As Lockheed Martin ramps up for 2026 deliveries, key issues to monitor include variant distribution among the three F-35 models, exact pricing breakdowns including engines and sustainment packages, and how quickly Block 4 capabilities are fielded across the new aircraft.
For allied countries seeking to join or expand their F-35 fleets, this agreement provides reassurance of the program’s long-term viability, cost containment, and upgrade roadmap. The F-35’s role as a cornerstone of integrated deterrence remains secure, with Lots 18 and 19 marking another significant investment in the fighter’s global dominance.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office finalized a deal for up to 296 new F-35 fighter jets. The agreement strengthens U.S. airpower while supporting allies and global defense sales.
Lockheed Martin confirmed on September 29, 2025, that it reached a final agreement with the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office to produce and deliver up to 296 F-35 fighter jets under Lots 18 and 19. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026, bolstering U.S. military readiness while supporting allied nations and Foreign Military Sales customers. The deal matters because it reinforces America’s defense edge and ensures global partners access to advanced U.S. technology.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II in flight. Under the new Lots 18–19 contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver up to 296 additional F-35s beginning in 2026, strengthening the jet’s role as the cornerstone of U.S. air superiority and allied interoperability. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)
This newly finalized contract confirms Lockheed Martin’s continued dominance in the fifth-generation fighter domain and solidifies the F-35’s future as the core of Western airpower for the next two decades. The announcement follows months of negotiation after a “handshake agreement” was initially reached in late 2024, during which Lockheed advanced its own funds to sustain production and shield the supply base from disruption. That interim phase is now closed with full contractual authorization for Lots 18 and 19.
Lockheed Martin emphasizes that the average price increase per aircraft in Lots 18 and 19 remains below the U.S. inflation rate—an important data point amid continued concerns about rising defense procurement costs. “The F-35 Lot 18–19 contract represents continued confidence in the most affordable and capable fighter aircraft in production today,” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to support our customers and further solidify the F-35’s role in enabling peace through strength.”
This contract helps secure the production line’s continuity, avoiding the sort of industrial pause that could endanger lower-tier suppliers. It also keeps global delivery schedules aligned with key modernization timelines across NATO and allied air forces. With more than 1,230 aircraft currently in service and over 1 million flight hours logged across 12 operating nations, the F-35 program has reached an operational maturity that few tactical fighter programs ever achieve. Lots 18 and 19 now extend that maturity deeper into the global fleet.
The agreement also plays a pivotal role in supporting the transition to Block 4 capabilities, which are central to the aircraft’s next evolution. Block 4 upgrades promise over 80 enhancements, including improved radar and sensors, expanded weapons integration, upgraded electronic warfare suites, and more robust data fusion. Although these advanced features have faced delays in development and integration, Lots 18 and 19 are expected to include hardware configurations that are either fully Block 4-ready or rapidly upgradeable to that standard once software becomes available.
However, the contract is not without risk. Defense officials and industry experts continue to flag supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly in electronic warfare components, high-end microprocessors, and thermal management systems. Even with cost growth contained, downstream pressures from parts shortages or geopolitical trade restrictions could impact future lots unless actively mitigated. The Lockheed–JPO agreement will need to absorb those risks without triggering further renegotiations.
Additionally, maintaining affordability depends heavily on sustaining production volumes. If the U.S. or partner nations reduce annual procurement rates due to budget constraints, the per-unit cost of future jets could rise. For now, the commitment to nearly 300 aircraft across Lots 18 and 19 supports pricing stability and helps maintain industrial scale across the supply chain.
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed to perform a wide range of missions with advanced survivability, situational awareness, and networked lethality. Available in three variants—conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff/vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-capable (F-35C)—the jet combines stealth with advanced sensors and integrated mission systems to penetrate contested airspace and deliver precision effects. For the U.S. Air Force, accelerating the deployment of the F-35 is critical to replacing aging fourth-generation platforms, countering near-peer threats, and maintaining global air dominance in increasingly contested environments. The fighter’s interoperability with allied forces and its ability to serve as a force multiplier across domains makes it a cornerstone of U.S. airpower strategy through the 2030s and beyond.
Strategically, the finalization of this contract sends a strong message to allies and adversaries alike: the United States remains fully invested in maintaining technological air superiority, and the F-35 remains the centerpiece of that strategy. As Lockheed Martin ramps up for 2026 deliveries, key issues to monitor include variant distribution among the three F-35 models, exact pricing breakdowns including engines and sustainment packages, and how quickly Block 4 capabilities are fielded across the new aircraft.
For allied countries seeking to join or expand their F-35 fleets, this agreement provides reassurance of the program’s long-term viability, cost containment, and upgrade roadmap. The F-35’s role as a cornerstone of integrated deterrence remains secure, with Lots 18 and 19 marking another significant investment in the fighter’s global dominance.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
