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• Germany plans to buy up to 35 F-35s to replace a portion of its aging Panavia Tornado fleet by 2025 and 2030 in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) on Wednesday said it could deliver its first F-35As fighter jets to Germany in 2026 if government deals can be signed off promptly as the country continues a rapid acquisition process.
“You’ll hear more about it soon,” J.R. McDonald, the vice president of F-35 business development at the US defence company, told journalists at a news conference at the ILA Berlin Air Show trade fair.
In March, Germany announced that it was planning to buy up to 35 of the world’s most advanced fighter jets — F-35s to replace a portion of its aging Panavia Tornado fleet by 2025 and 2030 in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and submitted a letter of request to the US government four days later.
That was a “very fast tempo,” McDonald said, “and we are sprinting now to understand the German requirements”, including the rate of deliveries and weapons and sustainment packages.
Lockheed Martin, the US government and the F-35 Joint Program Office is expected to put together a package of options for Germany by the fall, McDonald told journalists at the press conference.
German companies including engine maker MTU are currently seeking ways how they could get involved in the program by supplying parts or providing maintenance, McDonald added.
Lockheed Martin is also expecting more orders for F-35s in Europe, as Greece and the Czech Republic have expressed significant interest.
Courtesy: Flight Global
Picture Credit: CNBC
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