# Pentagon Weighs F-35 Production Sustainment Deal

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin are discussing a potential F-35 agreement covering production and sustainment for up to 10 years, with a possible value of tens of billions of dollars; no award or final contract structure has been announced. Near-term supplier opportunities center on sustainment and spare-parts capacity. Any multi-year procurement authority depends on Congress finalizing FY2027 defense authorization legislation. House language would require initial spare parts and alternate mission equipment and at least 5% cost savings, making readiness, cost, and supply-chain performance central considerations for prospective suppliers and contractors.

- Companies should distinguish current sustainment and spare-parts opportunities from the broader multi-year agreement, which remains under discussion and is not yet an award.
- Contractors should track the FY2027 defense authorization process because congressional action could determine whether multi-year procurement authority is available and what conditions apply.
- Suppliers preparing to compete should be ready to substantiate measurable readiness improvements, cost savings, and supply-chain capacity, including the House language’s proposed 5% savings threshold.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles, Policy
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) (DoD)
- F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO)
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. House of Representatives

### Vendors
- Lockheed Martin (F-35 prime contractor)
- Honeywell Aerospace (Key F-35 supplier)

### Key Quotes
> We are looking at advocating for a multi-year agreement for sustainment on the F-35 program.
> — Dina Halvorsen, Vice President of F-35 Global Sustainment at Lockheed Martin

### Sources
- [Pentagon, Lockheed weigh multi-year F-35 production, sustainment deal - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/pentagon-lockheed-weigh-multi-year-f-35-production-sustainment-deal) - Breaking Defense