The cost of the F-35A Lightning II will increase by $3.7-4.3 million to about $70 million, not including the F135 engine

In November, Lockheed Martin announced an imminent cost increase for its fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. Now more details about this have emerged.

Here's What We Know

The average price of the F-35A will increase by 6.55% from Lot 14 to Lot 17. However, it will not include the cost of Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine. Therefore, it is difficult to establish the total price of the aircraft at this time.

One F-35A fighter jet, not including the engine, in Lot 14 costs $65.6 million. In Lot 15 the price of the fighter will increase to $70.2 million, but then it will fall to $69.3 million. In Lot 17 another jump in price is expected, to $69.9 million.

One of the reasons for the rise in price of aircrafts in the next few years is the shortage of components due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also the war in Ukraine plays its role, as Lockheed Martin obtains some of its materials from Europe.

Source: Defense News