Turkey wants to receive its first F-35s sooner than planned. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Monday his country is set to receive its first two F-35s in 2018 rather than 2021, IHS Jane’s 360 reported. Another four will be received as part of the first order. The NATO ally has decided to order a second batch of fighters that will be delivered in 2021 and 2022, according to Reuters. The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries did not say how many aircraft would make up the second order, but US officials told Reuters that 24 jets would be bought. Turkey plans to eventually buy at least 100 F-35As, according to Lockheed Martin.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.