Pentagon, Lockheed strike USD7.8 b deals

(MENAFN) The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Corp finalized a USD7.8 billion contracts for 71 F-35 fighter jets, The Peninsula Qatar reported. The US Defence Department signed a contract for a fifth batch of 35 aircrafts at a cost of USD4.4 billion, which is 2.5 percent less from the fifth batch. Another USD3.4 billion contract was signed for a seventh batch of 36 F-35 fighters at a price 6 percent less than the fifth batch. The Pentagon expects to spend USD392 billion in the next few decades to replace older planes with 2,443 F-35 fighters.