Pratt & Whitney awarded multi-billion contract for F-35 engines

The contract will ensure that engine, spares, modules, and additional engineering components can be produced by Pratt & Whitney at full rate for the US military as well as international markets.

President of military engines, Jill Albertelli, said the contract will ensure the increased demand for F135 engines is guaranteed.

“Pratt & Whitney is investing heavily across our global production base and supply chain to increase production and accelerate engine delivery and sustainment to meet growing global demand for the F-35 program,” she said.

“The F135 is the most advanced military engine in the world, delivering unmatched thrust, reliability and mission readiness for the United States and its allies.”

Over the past few years, the aircraft engineering company has remained committed to expanding, growing and supporting the strong rate of prediction in the defence industry through investments and efforts totalling more than US$1 billion.

This has boosted production of the F135 engines by 20 per cent and created over 66,000 jobs in 47 US states.

VIEW ALL

As of April 2026, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,400 F135 engines specifically for the F-35 aircraft to over 20 allied countries.

The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin and became operational in Australia in 2021. According to Defence, its supersonic capabilities and efficient internal communications networks make it a useful stealth fighter asset.

Australia has played a crucial role in the global F-35 program, having committed to acquiring 72 F-35A aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as part of the $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B program.

The first Australian F-35s arrived in-country in 2018. Operated primarily from RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, the fleet has since reached full operational capability, replacing the ageing F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet.