The U.S. Department of State has greenlit a significant step in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, approving a contract modification worth up to $238 million for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, Texas.
Italy will assemble 24 of the 36 Swiss F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters
Photo credit: Il Manifesto
Announced on March 24, 2025, this undefinitized modification to an existing fixed-price incentive contract tasks the aerospace giant with procuring long-lead materials, parts, and components to support the production of F-35 aircraft under Lot 20.
Unlike previous contracts focused solely on U.S. military needs, this effort targets non-U.S. Department of Defense partners and Foreign Military Sales customers, signaling a ramp-up in preparations for the next phase of the world’s most advanced fighter jet program.
The move underscores Washington’s commitment to equipping its allies with cutting-edge airpower while maintaining the momentum of a program that has faced its share of scrutiny over costs and delays.
This contract modification, designated P00001 under contract N0001925C0070, does not mark the official start of Lot 20 production but lays the critical groundwork. Long-lead items, such as specialized alloys, avionics components, and engine parts, often require months or even years to manufacture and deliver.
By securing these materials now, Lockheed Martin ensures that when production begins—likely later this year or in early 2026—the assembly lines will face fewer bottlenecks. The announcement comes as negotiations for Lots 18 through 20, a package deal valued at approximately $34 billion for 478 aircraft, near their conclusion.
Sources familiar with the program, speaking on condition of anonymity due to ongoing talks, indicate that this step reflects confidence that the broader contract will soon be finalized.
The F-35 program, overseen by Lockheed Martin with support from the Pentagon’s Joint Program Office, remains a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy and international military cooperation. Since its inception, the aircraft has been billed as a fifth-generation multirole fighter capable of stealth operations, advanced sensor fusion, and network-enabled warfare.
To date, more than 990 F-35s have been delivered worldwide, with the U.S. planning to acquire 2,456 in total across its Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps variants. The inclusion of non-DoD partners and FMS customers in this latest contract highlights the program’s growing global footprint.
Countries like Finland, Romania, and the Czech Republic have recently joined the roster of F-35 operators, adding to a coalition that already includes stalwarts such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan.
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson declined to provide specifics on the timeline for Lot 20 production but emphasized the company’s focus on meeting global demand. “We’re working closely with our government and international partners to ensure the F-35 program continues to deliver on its promises,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “This modification is a key part of keeping that process on track.”
The Pentagon, meanwhile, has yet to release an official statement on the contract, though a Defense Department official confirmed to reporters that the move aligns with broader efforts to streamline production and support allies facing evolving security threats.
The timing of this announcement is notable given the program’s history. The F-35 has long been a lightning rod for debate, with critics pointing to its $1.7 trillion lifecycle cost and developmental hiccups, such as software glitches and engine reliability issues.
Supporters, however, argue that its unmatched capabilities justify the investment, particularly as tensions rise in regions like Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The focus on foreign partners in this contract modification suggests that the U.S. sees the F-35 as more than just a domestic asset—it’s a tool for strengthening alliances.
“This isn’t just about building planes; it’s about building a network of capable partners,” said John Venable, a senior defense analyst at the Heritage Foundation and former F-16 pilot. “The F-35’s interoperability is a force multiplier for coalition operations.”
Details on the exact number of aircraft slated for Lot 20 remain under wraps, as the final breakdown of the Lots 18-20 deal is still being hammered out. Historical patterns offer some clues. Lot 15, for instance, included 129 aircraft, while earlier multiyear deals like Lot 14 covered 375 planes over three years.
If the 478 aircraft projected for Lots 18-20 are split evenly, each lot could see around 159 jets. However, production numbers often vary based on customer orders, and Lot 20’s emphasis on non-DoD and FMS clients could shift that figure. Analysts estimate that this lot might range between 120 and 180 aircraft, though Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have kept mum on specifics until the contract is fully definitized.
The process of definitizing this modification—essentially locking in the final cost and terms—could take several months, a common practice for contracts involving long-lead procurement. Until then, the $238 million ceiling represents a not-to-exceed estimate, meaning the actual cost could come in lower depending on negotiations and material requirements.
What’s clear is that this move keeps the F-35 production pipeline active, a priority for Lockheed Martin as it balances domestic and international demand. The Fort Worth facility, where all F-35s are assembled, employs thousands and has become a hub of economic activity in Texas, further tying the program’s success to U.S. industrial interests.
For foreign buyers, the stakes are equally high. Nations acquiring the F-35 through the Foreign Military Sales program rely on timely delivery to modernize their air forces and counter emerging threats.
Finland, for example, finalized a $9.4 billion deal in 2022 for 64 F-35As, with deliveries slated to begin in 2026—potentially overlapping with Lot 20’s timeline. Romania, meanwhile, is in talks to become the second NATO country in Eastern Europe to adopt the jet, a move seen as a response to Russian aggression following the Ukraine conflict.
“The F-35 gives these countries a qualitative edge,” said Rebecca Grant, an aerospace expert and president of IRIS Independent Research. “But it’s the U.S. production schedule that dictates when they’ll get it.”
The broader context of this contract modification reveals a program at a crossroads. While earlier lots faced delays due to technical challenges—like the transition to the Block 4 configuration, which upgrades sensors and weapons—recent years have seen stabilization.
Lot 19 is currently in production, with aircraft rolling off the line for U.S. and allied forces. Lot 20’s preparatory steps suggest that Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon are keen to avoid past pitfalls, securing supply chains ahead of time.
Industry observers note that the focus on long-lead items reflects lessons learned from supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed the delivery of components like titanium forgings and microelectronics.
Beyond the factory floor, the F-35’s role in U.S. foreign policy looms large. The jet’s export to allies strengthens military ties and ensures compatibility in joint operations, a critical factor as NATO and Indo-Pacific partners face sophisticated adversaries like Russia and China.
“The F-35 isn’t just hardware; it’s a diplomatic asset,” said Peter Layton, a former Royal Australian Air Force officer and visiting fellow at Griffith University. “Every plane delivered tightens the web of deterrence.” Yet this web comes with a cost, and taxpayers in the U.S. and partner nations continue to foot the bill for a program that remains the most expensive weapons system in history.
As preparations for Lot 20 advance, questions linger about the program’s future. The Pentagon has signaled plans to ramp up annual production to around 150-160 aircraft in the coming years, but budget constraints and competing priorities—like the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative—could alter that trajectory.
For now, this contract modification keeps the F-35 on course, bridging the gap between the current output and the next wave of deliveries. It’s a pragmatic step, devoid of fanfare, yet vital to sustaining a program that has redefined modern air combat.
The final piece of this puzzle will emerge when the Lots 18-20 contract is fully signed, likely later this year. Until then, Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant will begin stockpiling the materials needed for Lot 20, ensuring that when the green light comes, the assembly lines can hit the ground running.
For U.S. allies awaiting their jets, and for the American defense establishment banking on the F-35’s success, this quiet but crucial move marks another chapter in a saga that’s as much about strategy as it is about stealth.
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