Israel seals deal for 20 Lockheed Martin F-35s

The arms industry seems to be doing fine in spite of the crisis, as some of the largest fighter jet contracts were signed during this period. The latest such contract was signed at the end of last week, by Israel and the United States, with Israel signing a deal to buy 20 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

This makes Israel the first country to receive the F-35 fighter jet as part of the Foreign Military Sales program, initiated by the government of the United States, the company said in a press release.

"We"re very pleased with the government of Israel"s decision to move forward with the US government"s letter of offer and acceptance for the F-35," says Tom Burbage, Lockheed executive vice-president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration.

He stressed: "This is another step in the long-standing relationship between Lockheed Martin and the nation of Israel. The Lightning II will strengthen Israel"s national security position, both militarily and industrially".

According to sources, the contract is worth approximately 3 billion dollars, and the planes are scheduled to be delivered by 2016. Israel also has the option to purchase and additional 55 fighter planes.

Americans of "Lockheed Martin" are also on the shortlist of the Romanian Ministry of Defense (MapN), which wants to acquire 24 second hand F16 planes, for which it wants to pay up to 1.2 billion dollars for pilot training, maintenance and upgrades, as well as for the adaptation of the airport infrastructure.

Aside from the American giant "Lockheed Martin", the MApN has also received offers from Eurofigher, which was betting on the multi-role airplane "Eurofighter Typhoon", as well as from the Swedes of SAAB, which are building the Gripen airplane, but their offers proved too expensive for the pockets of the Romanian state.

F-35 Lightning II is a fifth generation aircraft, which combines advanced stealth capabilities, with the speed and agility of a fighter jet, fully integrated information from network sensors, advanced maintenance and low operating and support costs.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 program together with its main industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two different interchangeable engine models are being developed: Pratt & Whitney F135 and GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Last year, the corporation reported sales of 44.5 billion dollars from its day-to-day operations.