The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $26 million contract to provide Foreign Military Sales (FMS) support for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter program, the Pentagon announced.
The contract will fund the creation of country-specific technical orders tailored to Ukraine’s fleet of Fighting Falcons.
The agreement, issued as a firm-fixed-price and time-and-materials contract, falls under the Falcon Enterprise indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity framework (FA8232-22-D-0004). Lockheed Martin, the original manufacturer of the F-16, was the sole-source provider for this award.
Work under the contract will be carried out at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2029. The effort involves FMS funding directed through the Building Partner Capacity Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. According to contracting documents, funds have been authorized by Letter of Offer and Acceptance Case KA-D-QAE in the amount of $25,998,051 and are being obligated at the time of award.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s F-16 FMS Contracting Office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is managing the activity. The office is responsible for ensuring delivery of technical data, maintenance guidance, and operational instructions that allow partner nations to operate and sustain the F-16 safely and effectively.
For Ukraine, the creation of tailored technical orders is a necessary step in integrating the F-16 into its air force. Technical orders define how aircraft are operated, serviced, and maintained, and are customized for each customer to reflect local requirements, available infrastructure, and mission priorities. These documents will be crucial for Ukraine’s transition from Soviet-era fighters to Western fourth-generation combat aircraft.
The contract reflects the long-term nature of the program. While Ukraine is already receiving aircraft and pilot training through allied commitments, sustainment and integration support will extend over several years. By setting a completion date in 2029, the contract ensures that Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force will remain engaged in supporting Ukraine’s operational use of the F-16 well into the future.
The Pentagon announcement emphasized that this contract is part of the broader U.S. and allied effort to build partner capacity in Ukraine, aligning with commitments made to provide Kyiv with advanced capabilities to defend its airspace.
For Lockheed Martin, the award underscores its role as the primary industrial partner in the F-16 program worldwide. The company continues to manufacture and upgrade the fighter, with more than 3,000 aircraft still in service globally. Providing Ukraine with technical orders specific to its fleet ensures not only safe operations but also alignment with NATO standards of interoperability.