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The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive

What is the central argument of “The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets?

The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive: The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed. Defence-finance analysis; 4-page sourced DFM PDF report.

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Original DFM publication · DFM Analysis report · 2025-05-08

The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has become a cornerstone of U.S. defense exports, with over 1,100 units sold to 20 countries. Despite its symbolic value as a U.S. technological asset, it depends on a globally distributed supply chain involving more than 1,900 suppliers across multiple countries.

Over 80 components come from Denmark’s Terma, while significant parts are sourced from the U.K., Italy, Australia, and other NATO allies. This global integration, while efficient, exposes the program to cost pressures from the Trump administration’s new trade tariffs, which affect raw materials and manufactured parts.

This analysis answers: What is the central argument of “The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets? What does this mean for European defence funding, procurement and investment decisions? How mature and defensible is the position described in “The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive”? Which European actors, programmes and funding instruments are most exposed?

Key takeaways

  • technological asset, it depends on a globally distributed supply chain involving more than 1,900 suppliers across multiple countries.
  • Over 80 components come from Denmark’s Terma, while significant parts are sourced from the U.K., Italy, Australia, and other NATO allies.
  • This global integration, while efficient, exposes the program to cost pressures from the Trump administration’s new trade tariffs, which affect raw materials and manufactured parts.

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Cover of the report The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive Full sourced report The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive 4-page PDF · immediate download · €99 View the report →

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Original DFM analysis

The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive

Type DFM Analysis report
Published 2025-05-08
Access free_public

The publication details above identify the source used for this public thread.

FAQ

What is The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive?

defense exports, with over 1,100 units sold to 20 countries.

Why does The World’s Top Jet Fighter Is About to Get More Expensive matter for European defence?

Despite its symbolic value as a U.S.

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