"Our partnership with Lockheed Martin in producing sub-assemblies for the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world is strategic for IAI, and constitutes an acknowledgement and expression of faith by Lockheed Martin and the US government in IAI's capabilities as a global industry leader," Maor says. IAI has invested tens of millions of dollars in the wing production line.The company's Lahav division has in the past manufactured wings for the Lockheed F-16 and the US Air Force's Northrop T-38 trainers, along with assemblies for other aircraft and customers. "This new facility is an excellent step forward for the programme, the US and Israel; I expect it will remain busy for many, many years to come," says Bogdan. "Given IAI's dedication to precision [and] world-class work on the F-16, it is no surprise that IAI is a trusted strategic partner to Lockheed Martin," Dewar notes. The production facility will supply the wings for aircraft to be delivered to customers outside of the programme's nine partner nations, which are already supplied by Alenia Aermacchi.