Germany Approves Deal to Buy Lockheed F-35 Jets From US

The governments of U.S. and Germany have agreed on the procurement of 35 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), in a deal aimed at strengthening the latter’s operational interoperability with allied nation partners.

The transaction covers the provision of engines, spare and replacement parts, mission equipment, training and armament and technical and logistic support, Lockheed said Wednesday.

German officials approved the agreement less than five months after the State Department cleared Germany’s request to buy 35 units of F-35 aircraft, missiles and related equipment from the U.S. government under a potential $8.4 billion contract.

“Germany’s participation ensures the F-35’s European alliance continues to strengthen and grow through interoperability with NATO and ally nations,” said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed.

The NATO ally is the latest European country to join the F-35 program, which operates from 26 bases worldwide.

Lockheed expects that over 550 F-35 jets will work together from more than 10 European nations by the end of the decade.

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