Lockheed Martin

Romania will purchase F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the US, the Supreme National Defense Council decided at its meeting today, BTA reported.

Members of Romania's Supreme Council of National Defense approved the so-called "Concept for achieving operational air defense capability with fifth-generation multi-role aircraft", announced the administration of President Klaus Iohannis.

The Greek Defense Ministry is expected to decide next week whether Athens will propose to Lockheed Martin the inclusion of SSI (security, supply, information) and infrastructure programs in the F-35 fighter jets package with the participation of the Greek defense industry.

The US State Department supports the sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, but Congress has to also be on board since it is not solely up to the department to decide on the issue, spokesperson Ned Price told a briefing Thursday.

Democratic US Senator Chris Van Hollen slammed Turkey as an "unfaithful ally," while calling for fresh sanctions on Ankara as it continues to block NATO membership for Finland and Sweden.

The attacks threatened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may turn into a disorderly retreat in the face of the triangle of international law, Greece's thriving armed forces and powerful alliances, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, stressing that Greece is better protected than ever following deals to acquire upgraded and next-generation fighter aircraft.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu on Monday reacted to media reports on the possible sale to Greece of F-35 fighter jets, produced by US defense giant Lockheed Martin, calling on Washington to maintain the balance in its relations with Athens and Ankara.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said they see no negative picture in the process of acquiring F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

"There is a relatively positive atmosphere in our relations with the U.S. Problems will likely be resolved, relations will be improved," he said speaking to the NTV broadcaster on June 4.

When looking for some expert assistance in creating the Darkstar aircraft the producers were pointed in the direction of Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division

If Turkey "plays its cards right," it can convince the U.S. Congress to allow a roughly $6 billion purchase of 40 Block 70 F-16 fighter jets and approximately 80 modernization kits from Lockheed Martin to upgrade its existing fleet, the Defense News reported referring to comments by Congress members.

The US State Department approved the sale to Bulgaria of 8 new F-16 fighters (F-16 C Block 70) and related equipment, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the Pentagon's Defense and Security Cooperation Agency.