The F-35's growing European presence
strengthens interoperability
FORT
WORTH, Texas, Jan. 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Czech Republic government signed a Letter of
Offer and Acceptance (LOA) today making official its intent to
procure 24 Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II
aircraft. Through the U.S. government Foreign Military Sale, the
Czech Air Force will receive its first aircraft in 2031, which will
be in the latest advanced Block 4 configuration.
"We are pleased the government of Czech Republic is now officially a part of the
F-35 Lightning II program of record," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen.
Mike Schmidt, program executive
officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. "This partnership with the
Czech Ministry of Defense will deliver and sustain the F-35
aircraft for decades, while providing the Czech Air Force with
unmatched interoperability and ensuring it has the capability to
counter current and future threats."
In addition to the aircraft, the procurement also includes
personnel training, service and logistical support, and developing
other support services ensuring successful deliveries of all 24
F-35s.
"With the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance between
the Czech Republic and U.S.
governments, the Czech Republic
becomes the 18th nation to join the global F-35 program.
We are honored to partner with the Czech Republic Air Force as its
F-35s join other European nations in strengthening and growing
interoperability, significantly increasing NATO's deterrent
capability." said Bridget
Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general
manager of the F-35 program. "The F-35 is the best solution for the
Czech Republic's future fighter
fleet with 5th Generation capabilities enhancing the nation's
effectiveness in the 21st Century Security battlespace."
The F-35 is the European aircraft of choice for replacing legacy
fighter fleets, offering unmatched interoperability with NATO and
other nations to provide a key discriminator for the U.S. and its
allies for decades to come. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will
work together from more than 10 European countries, including two
full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
It is also the only fighter aircraft in production today that will
create jobs for the next 40-50 years and enable strategic
industrial partnerships with Czech industry.
F-35s are now operating from 32 bases worldwide. To date,
Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 990 F-35s, trained more
than 2,280 pilots and 15,400 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has
surpassed nearly 773,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin
continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies
remain ahead of the evolving threat.
For additional information, visit www.f35.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
122,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics