Lockheed Martin, DoD agree to 10-year framework agreement for F-35 production

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performs during the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tenn., June 6, 2025. The US DoD agreed a 10-year framework with Lockheed Martin for F-35 production in October 2026. (US Air force/F-35A Demo Team)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) and Lockheed Martin agreed a 10-year framework to produce the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

The agreement announced 22 October 2026 guarantees a minimum of 850 US aircraft and includes “associated initial spares, 10 years of modification kits and sustainment, and international customer orders across Lots 21-30, at a continued production rate of 156 aircraft per year”, for the global F-35 fleet, according to a Lockheed Martin press release.

“Our new multiyear framework gives suppliers stability to plan for the future and invest with confidence, improving readiness across the F-35 fleet,” OJ Sanchez, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said.

“This, in addition to the investments Lockheed Martin is making to the global spares pool, will directly translate into higher mission capable rates and a more resilient supply chain,” Sanchez added.

The company said the agreement would support 317,000 US jobs and generate approximately USD79 billion in annual economic activity over the 10-year period, while providing predictability and affordability in supply chains.

The DoD said the “stable, long-term procurement signal” serves as a milestone for the department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy.

The agreement's execution is still subject to Congressional authorisation and appropriations, but the DoD said that the framework stipulates that Lockheed Martin would self-fund at least USD7 billion for “initiatives that support the F-35 Program”.