The US military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin has produced less than half of the modernised F-35 fighter jets that were scheduled for release in 2023. This was reported by the publication Defence News.
The article quotes Lieutenant General Michael Schmidt, the programme manager, as explaining that the slow pace of parts production has delayed the production of the new fighters.
He added that the company had contracted to deliver 52 aircraft by the end of this year, but had only completed production of 21 of them.
Earlier it was reported that the US Air Force will not receive the upgraded F-35 fighter jets until April 2024.