DefenceTalkLockheed Martin completed another successful year as the F-35 program continued to expand its global footprint and enhance operational capabilities. In 2021, two new countries – Switzerland and Finland – selected the F-35 for their new fighter jet programs. Additionally, Denmark received its first F-35 and the Royal Netherlands Air Force became the ninth nation […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-fighter-jet-expands-global-presence-in-2021-77597/

DefenceTalkThe United Arab Emirates threatened Tuesday to scrap its mega-purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting stringent conditions amid Washington’s concerns on China, but both sides said they hoped to resolve the dispute. President Joe Biden has pledged greater oversight over the state-of-the-art planes after the $23 billion arms package was pushed through by his […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uae-protests-stringent-biden-conditions-for-jet-fighters-77582/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkTurkey has hired an international law firm to help it win back its spot in the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, state media reported on Friday. The six-month contract with Arnold & Porter — worth a reported $750,000 (620,000 euros) — comes as Turkey seeks to find a solution with US President Joe Biden over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-hires-law-firm-to-lobby-biden-over-f-35-jets-report-76782/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s administration has temporarily frozen for review a massive package of F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates and arms to Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday. The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. A […]https://www.defencetalk.com/biden-freezes-giant-uae-f35-jet-package-saudi-arms-for-review-76692/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $10.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uae-to-buy-50-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-76541/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkUS President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would have “no problem” selling advanced F-35 warplanes to the United Arab Emirates, despite objections from close ally Israel. “I personally would have no problem with it,” he said on Fox News. “I would have no problem in selling them the F-35.” Trump, who will oversee the signing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-says-he-has-no-problem-selling-uae-advanced-f-35-fighter-jets-76333/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkHILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah: The 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron, along with Reservists from the 419th FW, returned to Hill Air Force Base, Aug. 22, after three weeks of training in Alaska, including Red Flag 20-3 at Eielson Air Force Base. Red Flag is a large force combat exercise that takes place several […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fourth-fighter-squadron-wraps-up-training-in-alaska-76224/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkPresident Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S. is considering selling advanced American F-35 warplanes to the United Arab Emirates over the objections of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump told reporters at a White House news conference that the Emiratis had expressed interest in buying “quite a few” of the stealth fighter jets. He said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-weighs-f-35-fighter-jet-sales-to-uae-over-israeli-objections-76200/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe Defense Department has been working to improve issues that affect the ready-for-issue rate for F-35 joint strike fighter parts, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment told Congress. Parts for the F-35 should be accompanied by an “electronic equipment log” through the jet’s Autonomic Logistics Information System, but that doesn’t always happen, Ellen […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-defense-dept-improves-ready-for-issue-rate-for-f-35-parts-75986/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe United States announced Thursday that it has approved the sale of 105 F-35 stealth fighter aircraft to Japan for an estimated $23.11 billion. Japan had asked to buy 63 F-35A, the traditional version of the electronics-laden fighter aircraft, and 42 F-35B, the short-takeoff and vertical-landing version for aircraft carriers, the State Department said in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-approves-sale-of-105-f-35-stealth-fighter-jets-to-japan-75876/