Lockheed Martin hopes to deliver more F-35s to Australia
Reuters
Published Feb 27, 2023 08:19PM ET
Updated Feb 28, 2023 12:15AM ET
By Jamie Freed
AVALON, Australia (Reuters) -Lockheed Martin Corp hopes Australia wants to buy more of its F-35 fighter planes after the country completes a defence review, an executive at the U.S. manufacturer said on Tuesday.
"We hope for the opportunity to deliver additional F-35s beyond" the 72 Australia has on order, Executive Vice President of Aeronautics Greg Ulmer said on the sidelines of the Australia International Airshow.
Ulmer also said Lockheed has talked with Australia about teaming the F-35 with Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co's MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter-like drone.
Boeing's defence division head Ted Colbert said during the air show that a partnership would be "great news".
In a crewed-uncrewed teaming situation, the F-35 could serve as the "quarterback" and focus on accurate targeting while other aircraft deployed weapons, said Steve Over, Lockheed's director of international business.
Australia has purchased 72 Lockheed F-35A jets to form three squadrons, with all aircraft scheduled to be fully operational this year. It had initially expressed interest in buying 100.
A defence strategic review considering Australia's future force posture - including the possible purchase of a fourth squadron of F-35 jets - was handed to the government on Feb. 14.
Defence Minister Richard Marles, in a pre-air show speech on Monday, said the review and the government's response would be made public in April.
He said the review comes against a backdrop of increased strategic competition between nations in the region.
"In the Indo-Pacific, China is driving the largest conventional military build-up we've seen anywhere in the world since the Second World War. And much of this build-up is opaque," Marles said.
Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has joined the United States in pushing back against China's growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea.
Lockheed's Over said it would take about four years for Australia to receive more F-35s if it placed an order this year.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.