Aviation

US approves sale of 35 F-35A fighters to Germany for $8.4 billion

The State Department has approved a potential of $8.4 billion foreign military sale of F-35 aircraft, missiles, and related hardware to the German government.

35 F-35A fighters will be delivered to Germany for $8.4 billion, with US approval.

The State Department has approved a potential of $8.4 billion foreign military sale of F-35 aircraft, missiles, and related hardware to the German government. Today, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency submitted Congress with the appropriate documentation informing them of this potential transaction.

The plane would be an F-35A, which stands for conventional takeoff and landing. The prospective order includes 35 stealth fighters, 35 Pratt & Whitney F-135-PW-100 engines, plus two spares, maintenance assistance, training, and a variety of weapons, including bombs, air-to-air missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.

By strengthening the security of a NATO partner who is a key factor in the political and economic stability of Europe, the proposed sale will promote the foreign policy and national security of the United States.

The proposed sale will improve Germany’s ability to counter both present and future threats by providing a suitable replacement for its ageing Tornado aircraft fleet in support of NATO’s nuclear sharing responsibility, which is the cornerstone of deterrence in Europe. The German military will have no trouble utilising these resources.

This notice of potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar amount correspond to the highest expected quantity and sum of money based on initial requirements.

The actual monetary value will be lower depending on the final requirements, budget authorization, and signed sales agreement.

Aviation

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Manufacturing After Seven-Week Strike

In a crucial move for its recovery, Boeing has restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner, about a month after a significant seven-week strike involving 33,000 factory workers came to an end.

This marks a key milestone for the planemaker, which has been facing considerable challenges in recent years, including heavy debt and a series of setbacks.

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According to the report from Reuters, Boeing resumed the production of the 737 MAX jetliner last week, a pivotal step as the company aims to meet the growing global demand for air travel. With over 4,200 orders from airlines, Boeing’s ability to get the 737 MAX production line back in motion is vital for its financial recovery.

Although Boeing had previously planned to restart production earlier, the company faced numerous obstacles that delayed this process. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Mike Whitaker told Reuters on Thursday that while Boeing had not yet resumed production, they had plans to restart by the end of the month.

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The road to this point has been rocky for Boeing. Setbacks such as the tragic fatal crashes of the 737 MAX, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, production safety concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to delays in the company’s efforts to ramp up production.

The seven-week strike, which involved thousands of Boeing’s factory workers, added yet another hurdle. Despite these challenges, production of the 737 MAX officially resumed on Friday, according to one of the anonymous sources.

Boeing, however, declined to comment on the matter. The planemaker is now focused on reaching its goal of producing 56 737 MAX airplanes per month, a target that has been delayed due to the many issues that have beset the company over the past few years.