Lockheed supports Italian and Norwegian F-35s
Maintenance and sustainment operation support for Italian and Norwegian F-35 aircraft will continue to be provided by Lockheed Martin under a new $13.12 million contract modification from US Naval Air Systems Command.
Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida for completion by December 2022, the DoD announced on 7 January.
Norway purchased 52 F-35As through an FMS programme for $11.2 billion in 2008, with deliveries to the Royal Norwegian Air Force scheduled between 2015 and 2024.
Italy has ordered 90 F-35 aircraft (60 F-35As and 30 F-35Bs); however, as noted by Shephard Defence Insight, the programme has been dogged by political controversy. Deliveries have been postponed and payments missed.
Even so, the defence budgets for 2019 and 2020 contained significant funding for the F-35 programme, suggesting that the programme is still moving ahead.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon
The consortium has given details on the next-generation of sensing and jamming capabilities on the Eurofighter Typhoon without needing to update the airframe, according to the group’s partners.
-
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.