Lockheed might outsource F-35 to Japan

As part of its sales pitch to Japanese buyers, Lockheed Martin said it would consider building some of the fighter jets in Japan.

If Japan commits to buying the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, its mainstay fighter jet, then Lockheed Martin Corp. said it is willing to move some production of the aircraft to Japan, Reuters is reporting.

Japan is in the midst of deciding what will be its main fighter and is considering the F-35, the F/A-18 by Boeing Co. and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

When it reaches full production, the F-35 is expected to account for more than 20 percent of Lockheed’s sales, Reuters reported.