Article Posted on : - Nov 20, 2010

A file photo of F-35.

NEW YORK (AFP): The Pentagon has ordered some 31 F-35 stealth fighter aircraft from American multinational Lockheed Martin in a deal worth some $3.5 billion, the company has said.

The contract for the Joint Strike Fighters sets out a delivery of 30 planes for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy as well as one fighter destined for British forces, Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

The Netherlands also has an option to buy one such aircraft.

Including funding which has already been made available for the programme which includes delivery of several variants, the total value of the deal will reach $3.9 billion.

The United States is planning to equip its forces with a total of 2,000 F-35s.