Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Announce 10-Year F-35 Framework Agreement

• •The framework agreement covers 850 F-35 aircraft over 10 years.
• •Lockheed Martin will invest at least $7 billion in F-35 initiatives.
• •The agreement is subject to Congressional approval and not yet a formal contract.

On October 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of War and Lockheed Martin reached a framework agreement for the production and sustainment of at least 850 F-35 aircraft over the next decade. This agreement aims to stabilize the supply chain and improve aircraft availability rates while also being subject to Congressional approval. The framework includes a production rate of 156 aircraft per year and encompasses international orders across Lots 21-30. Lockheed Martin is expected to invest at least $7 billion in initiatives supporting the F-35 program as part of this commitment. The agreement is not yet a formal procurement contract, and pricing and terms will need to be finalized. This initiative is anticipated to save taxpayers billions of dollars through long-term pricing and industry volume discounts. The agreement also aims to enhance the readiness of the F-35 fleet by providing predictable procurement planning and eliminating the annual contracting cycle that has historically strained the industrial base.