The agreements represent a key milestone in Lockheed Martin’s industrial cooperation commitments with the Czech Republic. The company said it is now actively executing all agreed projects to support both Czech industry and the broader F-35 program.
“With today’s signing, I’m pleased to share that Lockheed Martin is actively executing all 11 of our committed projects, strengthening Czech industry, the F-35 program and the collective defense industrial base,” said Karl Sapienza, Lockheed Martin F-35 Customer Programs director. “We are proud to drive purposeful innovation and advance allied defense capability with Ray Service and all our Czech partners.”
The cooperation framework includes partnerships with 12 Czech companies and universities. These projects focus on research, development, design, testing and manufacturing of advanced aerospace and defense technologies in line with Czech government requirements.
The program is expected to generate long-term economic and industrial benefits for the Czech Republic. Lockheed Martin said the F-35 program could create jobs for the next 50 to 60 years across areas such as training, supply chain management, and future upgrades.
“Today’s agreement is a powerful example of how strategic defense investments fuel our economies while strengthening our bonds,” said Nicholas Merrick, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic. “By integrating Czech talent into the global F-35 supply chain through partners like Ray Service, we are ensuring American innovation and Czech expertise work hand-in-hand. This collaboration underscores our ‘ironclad’ commitment to collective security. As agreed at the Hague Summit, meeting our capability targets and defense spending commitments is essential to maintaining a strong NATO. When we invest in 5th Generation capabilities, we are making a generational investment in the deterrence that keeps our alliance prepared for any challenge.”
Production of 24 F-35A aircraft for the Czech Air Force is expected to begin in 2027. Once operational, the Czech Republic will join a growing number of European countries fielding the fifth-generation fighter.
Lockheed Martin said the aircraft will enhance interoperability with allied forces, including more than 700 F-35s already operating in Europe. The platform is designed to provide advanced connectivity, survivability and operational effectiveness in modern threat environments.
Globally, more than 1,300 F-35 aircraft are in service and the fleet has exceeded one million flight hours. The aircraft operates from 50 bases worldwide and is used by 11 nations on their home territory.
The company said the F-35 remains central to maintaining air superiority as adversaries advance and legacy systems age. The program is expected to play a key role in supporting allied deterrence and defense capabilities in the coming decades.
