Lockheed Martin extends cooperation with Israel

 F-35

Lockheed Martin extends cooperation with Israel

To date, Lockheed Martin has invested more than $4 billion - $470 million in the past five years - with Israeli defense and aerospace industrial cooperation projects.

Lockheed Martin, together with Israel’s Industrial Cooperation Authority, signed an extension for the Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement (UICA), through the end of 2029. The ceremony was led by Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John, Lockheed Martin Israel Chief Executive Tal Galor, MOC's Head of Industry Division Nurit Tsur-Rabino and Head of ICA Department Yazeed Sheick-Yousif.

Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry: "The extension of the agreement with Lockheed Martin is a clear vote of confidence in Israeli industry and in our capacity for innovation. This collaboration strengthens Israel’s security, creates new engines of economic growth, and brings investments that provide significant opportunities for local industries to expand and increase exports. We will continue to lead initiatives that attract strategic partners to Israel and generate thousands of high-quality jobs across the country."

“Extending the Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement reinforces Lockheed Martin’s ongoing role as a trusted partner to Israel,” said Frank St. John, Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer. “It enables us to strengthen resiliency through a broader industrial footprint, deepen collaboration with leading Israeli companies, and advance high-impact STEM initiatives that build the talent pipelines essential for future allied defense capability. We are proud to grow these partnerships and deliver long-term security, technological innovation, and economic value for Israel.”

Lockheed Martin and the Government of Israel first signed a framework industrial cooperation agreement in 2005. To date, Lockheed Martin has invested more than $4 billion with Israeli defense and aerospace industries, leveraging Israel’s advanced technology industry.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418750

Lockheed Martin extends industrial cooperation with Israel through 2029, aiming to boost trade

One of the biggest American defense companies, Lockheed Martin currently supplies Israel with combat aircraft such as F-16 and F-35 jets, giving Israel a significant advantage throughout the region.

Lockheed Martin and Israel’s Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA) agreed to extend their partnership for another four years, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

In a ceremony attended by officials, including Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat and Head of ICA Yazeed Sheick-Yousif, as well as Lockheed Martin COO Frank St. John and Lockheed Martin Israel Chief Executive Tal Galor, the American defense and aerospace manufacturer extended its Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement (UICA) through 2029.

A UICA, signed between the ICA and a foreign company, allows the company to sell goods more easily in Israel. Lockheed Martin and Israel first signed cooperation agreements in 2005, and since then, the firm has invested over $4 billion in the Jewish State, according to the statement.

Previous cooperation with Israel

Signed in 2020, the current UICA between Israel and Lockheed Martin led the firm to invest more than $470 million locally. For example, in 2022, Lockheed Martin launched kindergartens in northern Israel to encourage creativity and interest in STEM among children. 

"These kindergartens are a part of the concept we are leading in the education system, focusing on exposing children to the world of science and technology at an early age, as part of their natural educational environment inside the kindergarten,” said then education minister Yifat-Sasha Biton.

Barkat lauded the new agreement, calling it a “clear vote of confidence” in Israeli industry and innovation.

“This collaboration strengthens Israel’s security, creates new engines of economic growth, and brings investments that provide significant opportunities for local industries to expand and increase exports,” he continued. 

St. John emphasized the importance of the deal, stating that “[the agreement] enables us to strengthen resiliency through a broader industrial footprint, deepen collaboration with leading Israeli companies, and advance high-impact STEM initiatives that build the talent pipelines essential for future allied defense capability.

One of the biggest American defense companies, Lockheed Martin, supplies Israel with combat aircraft such as F-16 and F-35 jets, which give Israel a significant aerial advantage throughout the region. Additionally, the company entered into an agreement with Israeli defense firm Rafael to develop a version of the Iron Beam laser defense system for the American market.

Israeli exports go on despite war

Despite the many fronts of war Israel faces, 2024 marked a record year for defense exports, reaching over $14 billion in value, according to the Ministry of Defense. Even during the course of the Israel-Hamas War, Israel has signed contracts to export weapons to major countries, many of whom see Russia and China as threats to their safety. 

This week, Germany announced the deployment of the Israeli Arrow 3 missile defense system as part of a $3.6 billion deal. 

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-879041