Italy has signed a $524 million worth contract with Lockheed for 18 F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets.聽
The deal, which was announced by the US Department of Defense on August 9, 2022,聽includes 14 conventional take-off and landing聽F-35A variants聽and four short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)聽F-35B variants. 聽
The new F-35s are expected to be delivered by June 2025. Production and delivery will be performed in Texas, California, the United Kingdom, Italy as well as other locations. 聽
As part of the country精东影业 defense program, Italy plans to have a total of 90 F-35s, including 60 conventional F-35As and 30 F-35B STOLs. The production rate聽of the F-35 has been steadily increasing in recent years. 聽
In 2021, Lockheed Martin announced the delivery of 142 aircraft of the type, bringing the grand total of F-35s operational worldwide to 750. The company planned to deliver 196 aircraft in 2022. 聽聽
