Ramona Adams
Japan estimates cost savings of as much as $100 million on support equipment for six Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter aircraft the country ordered from the U.S. government, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Sources told the publication that Japan negotiated with the U.S. to drive down the price of the next batch of F-35s, mainly on ground support items such as parts, logistics and technical services, Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo wrote.
The report said talks are underway to help all F-35 buyers save on procurement costs.
Lockheed spokesman Michael Rein said the current lot 10 F-35 low-rate initial production will have the lowest base price in the fighter jet’s history, the report stated.
President Donald Trump said in January that Lockheed lowered the price of the Defense Department‘s latest order of 90 F-35s by approximately $600 million.
