By Doug Cameron
Lockheed Martin Corp. said Tuesday that Turkey had committed to
buy two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets as part of a delayed order
expected to be consummated in 2016.
Turkey's defense ministry also said in a statement that it still
planned to buy 100 of the advanced jets, retaining its role as one
of the F-35's largest export customers.
Lockheed and the Pentagon need export buyers to maintain or
expand their planned purchases to support a production increase
that is central to lowering the cost of the F-35.
While existing F-35 partners such as Australia have recently
ordered the jet, some deals have been for smaller numbers than
originally indicated.
Turkey had previously delayed its formal order by two years, and
the defense ministry said the planned deal for two aircraft would
come in the 10th batch that will be negotiated by the Pentagon on
behalf of U.S. services and overseas customers in 2016, with
deliveries two years later.
Overseas orders are tied in part to work on the $392 billion
F-35 program, with around 30% of the jet by value built outside the
U.S., including by Turkish contractors. The defense ministry said
it was looking to establish a final assembly and delivery line in
Turkey--as well as a maintenance center--for the jet's F-135
engine, which is built by the Pratt & Whitney unit of United
Technologies Inc.
Write to Doug Cameron at doug.cameron@wsj.com
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