IAI to deliver first F-35 wings in September

photo Lockheed Martin

April 15, 2014 by Arie Egozi – FG

Tel Aviv - Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) expects to deliver its first set of Lockheed Martin F-35 wings in September 2014, and to ship sets from serial production from mid-2015, under a 10-15 year contract worth up to $2.5 billion.

Since signing the contract with Lockheed Martin in April 2013, IAI has invested heavily in an automated production line. The wings contract forms part of an offset agreement linked to Israel’s purchase of 20 F-35s for its air force. Israel has, however, expressed its intention to purchase as many as 75 of the fifth-generation stealth fighter.

The site will eventually produce 811 wing pairs for the F-35.