Jane Edwards
Lockheed Martin has awarded approximately $770 million worth of contracts to Israel-based companies to perform work related to Israel’s purchase of F-35 fighter aircraft, Defense News reported Sunday.
Barbara Opall-Rome writes Israel’s defense ministry announced that Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries were among the Israeli firms that received the largest share of contract work from Lockheed for the fighter planes under Israel’s industrial cooperation package with the U.S.
IAI manufactures wing sets for the stealth fighters, while Elbit Systems makes the helmet-mounted display platform for the aircraft.
Israel has tapped Lockheed to produce 33 F-35s and could place an order for 17 additional aircraft through a multiyear procurement deal through 2020, according to the report.
Defense News notes that the industrial cooperation agreement could potentially reach over $4 billion if Israel exercises its option to buy all 75 F-35 planes from the U.S.
