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Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Plan Long-Term F-35 Contracts

October 12, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin plan multi-year F-35 contracts.
Contracts aim to stabilize defense supply chain and reduce costs.
Deals could span 10 years or more, combining production and sustainment.
Total value could reach tens of billions of dollars.

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Strategic Implications

This shift may indicate a long-term commitment to the F-35 program, which could provide stability for the defense supply chain and reduce costs. The use of multi-year contracts suggests a focus on planning visibility and business certainty, which could benefit defense industries and drive down production costs over time.

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What Happened

Multi-Year Deals Aim To Stabilize Defense Supply Chain

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin are planning to shift from short-term production contracts to long-term procurement agreements for the F-35 fighter jet, aiming to stabilize the defense supply chain, reduce costs, and provide industry certainty. The move aligns with the Trump administration’s policy of pursuing long-term contracts for major weapon systems. According to a report by Breaking Defense, the total financial value of such a multi-year deal could reach tens of billions of dollars, directly impacting the entire defense supply chain. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.

Source | Originally Published: October 12, 2026

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