BAE Systems has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite for Lots 20 through 22 of the F-35 Lightning II program, sustaining production of the fighter’s critical electromagnetic defense capabilities.

The agreement, announced in an October 6, 2026 press release, ensures both new-build aircraft and retrofitted jets will receive the advanced systems required to detect, jam, and counter threats in contested airspace. Neither BAE Systems nor Lockheed Martin disclosed the financial value of the Lots 20-22 order.

Sustaining the F-35’s electromagnetic defenses

The AN/ASQ-239 is the built-in electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-35 Lightning II. The system provides 360-degree situational awareness, radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection capabilities. It is designed to detect and geolocate electronic emitters, allowing the aircraft to evade, engage, counter, or jam threats.

Amber Dolan, Vice President of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems, stated that the company has continuously evolved its EW hardware and software to maintain a decisive battlespace advantage for operators.

“We’re laser-focused on scaling production and delivering software-based capabilities to meet the rapid pace of conflict,” Dolan said.

Manufacturing for the Lots 20-22 contract will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Austin, Texas, and the New Hampshire cities of Manchester, Merrimack, and Nashua.

The Block 4 modernization context

The F-35 program is currently undergoing a major modernization effort known as Block 4, which relies heavily on upgraded electronic warfare capabilities and new processors under the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) initiative.

The EW upgrade has been described as the centerpiece of the Block 4 improvements, designed to outpace emerging threats and provide more powerful signal processing. On December 15, 2021, BAE Systems received a $493 million contract to upgrade the F-35’s EW system specifically for the Block 4 modernization program.

The F-35 serves as the primary fifth-generation fighter for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, alongside numerous allied nations. The EW suite is critical for the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments against modern integrated air defense systems, enemy fighters, and missiles.

BAE Systems’ footprint in the program

BAE Systems has supplied the EW suite for every F-35 built, delivering over 1,500 units to date.

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The British multinational defense, security, and aerospace company employs over 110,000 people globally and operates across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Its US subsidiary, BAE Systems, Inc., is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.

AirPro News analysis

We view the continuation of the AN/ASQ-239 production through Lots 20-22 as a critical stabilizing factor for the broader F-35 supply chain. While the financial terms of this specific lot order remain undisclosed, the electronic warfare suite represents the core of the aircraft’s survivability and lethality upgrades under the Block 4 framework. As global threat environments become increasingly contested by advanced integrated air defense systems, the ability of BAE Systems to scale production across its Texas and New Hampshire facilities will be a key metric in meeting the operational demands of the Air Forces and its international partners.

Lockheed Martin completed the first test flight of a Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) F-16 Block 72 aircraft on October 6, 2026, at the manufacturer’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina.

The flight initiates the formal testing phase for the North African nation’s new fighter fleet before official deliveries begin. In a press release announcing the milestone, Lockheed Martin highlighted Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 configuration, a variant distinguished by its Pratt & Whitney engines and advanced avionics.

Commencing the flight-test phase

The inaugural flight marks a critical step toward delivering the most advanced F-16 variant to the RMAF. According to reporting by aviation publication The War Zone, the specific aircraft flown in South Carolina was a two-seat F-16D model, and the test pilot utilized a Digital Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (D-JHMCS). Lockheed Martin will now put the aircraft through a comprehensive flight-testing program before the first official handover.

Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, stated that the flight reflects meaningful progress on the program and serves as a critical step in strengthening the future airpower of the RMAF.

“The F-16 remains a vital component of today’s and future air defense, and we’re proud of the role it will continue to play in supporting Morocco’s sovereignty and contributing to regional stability for decades to come,” Shoemaker said.

Morocco’s fighter fleet modernization

The U.S. State Department and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally approved the foreign military sale of 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft to Morocco on March 25, 2019. The DSCA estimated the value of the procurement package at $3.787 billion.

The Block 72 configuration introduces several fifth-generation capabilities to the fourth-generation airframe. Key upgrades include the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), modernized mission computers, updated avionics, and Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines. The acquisition is designed to improve interoperability with the United States and other regional allies during coalition operations.

The procurement of new airframes is part of a broader recapitalization effort for the RMAF, which currently operates a mixed fleet of F-16s, C-130s, advanced radar systems, and UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters. Concurrently with the 2019 Block 72 approval, the U.S. government cleared a $985 million upgrade package for Morocco’s existing fleet of 23 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, bringing them up to the advanced F-16V standard, according to Defense News.

Expanding domestic maintenance capabilities

Alongside the aircraft procurement, Lockheed Martin is actively expanding its industrial footprint in Morocco to support the RMAF fleet locally. The defense contractor has partnered with Maintenance Aero Maroc to develop an 8,000-square-meter Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Benslimane.

The Benslimane facility will initially focus on heavy maintenance for the RMAF’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Lockheed Martin delivered its first C-130H to Morocco in 1974. The company plans to eventually expand the facility’s capabilities to service the incoming F-16 Block 72 fleet, supporting the Moroccan government’s objective of establishing a regional aerospace hub.

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AirPro News analysis

Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 and its concurrent fleet upgrades demonstrate a clear strategic alignment with United States defense architecture. By establishing domestic MRO capabilities alongside the acquisition of advanced platforms like the Block 72 and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Royal Moroccan Air Forces is building a self-sustaining operational framework. This reduces reliance on foreign maintenance facilities and positions the country as a highly interoperable coalition partner in Africa.

The Government of Romania has signed a firm contract to procure 12 Airbus H225M multirole military helicopters, initiating the replacement of the Romanian Air Force’s aging fleet of locally built IAR-330 Pumas.

Announced by Airbus on October 7, 2026, the acquisition is financed under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program. The deal was facilitated by the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) acting as the procurement authority, marking a major step in Romania’s military modernization and European defense industrial cooperation.

Financing and fleet modernization

The procurement is a central component of Romania’s broader military modernization effort, heavily supported by the European Union. Romania is the second-largest beneficiary of the SAFE scheme behind Poland, with an overall allocation of €16.8 billion designed to speed up defense readiness and close critical capability gaps.

While Airbus did not officially disclose the contract value in its press release, defense media outlets including Breaking Defense estimate the H225M contract at €757 million ($845 million). The total approved SAFE project budget for the helicopters, which includes initial logistics support and crew training, reaches €852 million ($954 million), according to The Defence Blog.

Under the SAFE framework, Romania and Airbus previously signed contracts for seven Airbus H160 and five Airbus H145 helicopters designated for public service missions. In a parallel procurement, Romania recently acquired 12 Thales Ground Master GM200 MM/A air surveillance radars, further cementing the strategic defense partnership between Bucharest and Paris.

Industrial partnership and delivery timeline

The agreement includes a technology transfer component aimed at bolstering Romania’s domestic aerospace sector. Airbus will execute the contract in partnership with Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR), Romania’s state-owned and sole helicopter manufacturer based in Brasov.

“We are honoured that Romania has chosen the H225M to strengthen its defence capabilities. This selection will also bolster Romania’s industrial capabilities through our long term partnership with IAR, Romania’s sole helicopter manufacturer,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

Louvot added that the agreement establishes the H225M as a key asset of Europe‘s defense infrastructure.

Delivery of the first H225M helicopter is expected in 38 months, placing the initial handover in December 2029. The H225M is a twin-engine medium-heavy transport helicopter utilized for troop transport, search and rescue, and special operations. With this order, Romania becomes the 13th customer for the H225M, joining nations such as France, Brazil, Hungary, and Indonesia. Globally, the H225 and H225M fleet encompasses more than 350 aircraft that have accumulated over one million flight hours.

Airbus and Romania’s long-standing aerospace ties

The Romanian Air Force currently operates 57 IAR-330 Puma helicopters. These aircraft were locally produced under an Aerospatiale license starting in the 1970s, according to Janes. The transition to the H225M represents a generational leap in capability for the Romanian armed forces.

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The path to this finalized contract spanned several years of negotiations and legislative steps. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence initially sought parliamentary approval for the H225M program in November 2025. By March 2026, reports emerged detailing Romania’s intent to leverage EU SAFE loans for the acquisition. Bucharest formally signaled its intention to order the new fleet alongside a technology transfer agreement in June 2026, followed by a formal green light for the deal in July 2026.

Airbus Helicopters has maintained a presence in Romania for over 20 years, operating a customer center that provides support and services to Romanian Airbus fleets and export customers. In 2016, the manufacturer established Airbus Helicopters Industries at Ghimbav, near Brasov. While the facility was initially planned for Airbus H215 production, the industrial partnership eventually shifted focus toward the H225M to meet the military’s modernization requirements.

The initial order for 12 aircraft is expected to be the first phase of a larger procurement strategy. Post-2030, the Romanian defense ministry plans to purchase approximately 30 additional helicopters funded directly from its national budget. This follow-on deal, estimated at roughly €2 billion, is intended to transition H225M production entirely to the IAR plant in Brasov.

AirPro News analysis

The structure of this procurement illustrates a definitive shift in how European nations are capitalizing on joint defense frameworks following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. By utilizing the French DGA as the procurement authority under the EU SAFE program, Romania bypasses traditional, often protracted, foreign military sales processes. This mechanism not only accelerates the acquisition timeline but also directly strengthens the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).

The phased approach to domestic production is highly strategic. By importing the first 12 units while laying the groundwork for a €2 billion follow-on order built locally, Romania secures immediate capability upgrades while guaranteeing long-term industrial benefits. For Airbus, cementing IAR as a production hub for the H225M anchors the company’s footprint on NATO’s eastern flank, potentially positioning Brasov as a regional maintenance and manufacturing center for other Eastern European operators.