© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The Lockheed Martin logo is seen at Euronaval, the world naval defense exhibition in Le Bourget, near Paris, France, October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
By Jamie Freed
AVALON, Australia (Reuters) – Lockheed Martin Corp expects Australia to want to buy more F-35 fighter jets after the country completes a defense review, an executive from the US manufacturer said on Tuesday.
“We look forward to the opportunity to deliver additional F-35s beyond” the 72 Australia has on order, executive vice president for aeronautics Greg Ulmer said on the sidelines of the Australian International Airshow.
Ulmer also said Lockheed has spoken with Australia about the possibility of partnering the F-35 with Boeing (NYSE:) Co.’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter-like drone.
The head of Boeing’s defense division, Ted Colbert, said during the air show that a partnership would be “big news.”
In a crewed and uncrewed team situation, the F-35 could serve as the “quarterback” and focus on precision aiming 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. He had initially expressed interest in purchasing 100.
A defense strategic review looking at Australia’s future force posture, including the possible purchase of a fourth squadron of F-35 jets, was handed over to the government on 14 February.
Defense Minister Richard Marles, in a speech ahead of the air show on Monday, said the review and the government’s response would be made public in April.
He said that the review occurs in a context of greater strategic competition among the nations of the region.
“In the Indo-Pacific, China is driving the largest conventional military buildup we have seen anywhere in the world since World War II. And much of this backlog is opaque,” Marles said.
Australia, a staunch ally of the United States, has joined the United States in rolling back China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military development, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the disputed 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.
