Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line
The F-35 is a popular combat jet with several different countries as customers around the world, including Italy. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?
The offer of a domestic final assembly line, alongside industrial offsets, is an often-used bargaining chip in the complex ecosystem of securing combat aircraft export contracts. But does rolling out its own aircraft from an in-country plant really make economic or industrial sense for the customer nation?
In the world of defence procurement, politics often trumps logic. However, political decisions regarding major investments, such as ordering a fleet of fast jets, usually need strong justification. These may surface as local economic benefits (especially jobs), which might also be rather nonsensical within the framework of a wider national industrial policy. Add
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Embraer and Denel to explore working on C-390 Millennium]()
Embraer and Denel to explore working on C-390 Millennium
The South African aerospace and defence company has signed an MoU with Embraer to collaborate on manufacturing the aircraft as well as MRO work for the C-390 Millennium.
-
![Taurus KEPD 350E missile sees upgrade for German armed forces]()
Taurus KEPD 350E missile sees upgrade for German armed forces
Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Saab, was awarded a $161 million 10-year contract in January 2025 to modernise the Taurus 350 missile.
-
![India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures]()
India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
