The nine non-US countries signed up as partners on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program have a combined airframe requirement of 600 to 800—basically equivalent to the whole Navy/Marine Corps planned buy. Those export aircraft are worth some $60 billion. And, Lockheed officials expect there will be additional, non-partner countries interested in purchasing the JSF. More than 30 countries eventually bought—and are buying—the F-35’s predecessor, the F-16. Lockheed has built about 4,500 F-16 fighters.
The U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.