Israel Aerospace Industries wins Lockheed Martin supplier awards for F-35, F-16 programs

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received two supplier awards from American defense giant Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, recognizing its performance in manufacturing components for the F-16 and F-35 fighter jet programs.

IAI received the Mission Focused Award for its F-16 wings, vertical fins and conformal fuel tank programs, and the Ahead of Ready Award for its F-35 wings program. The awards recognize suppliers that meet Lockheed Martin’s standards for quality, delivery, operational performance and customer support.

“To be recognized as a recipient of both the Mission Focused and Ahead of Ready Supplier Awards is an outstanding achievement by IAI,” said Kyle Franklin, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Global Supply Chain. It is “a fitting testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of a highly professional team.”

“For years, our teams have worked side by side, delivering quality, value, and on-time performance with consistency and reliability,” said Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI’s Aviation Group. “This shared commitment to excellence enables us to support critical programs, meet demanding requirements, and help ensure success for Lockheed Martin. Trust is the foundation of our partnership with Lockheed Martin.”

Lockheed Martin works with more than 1,400 active suppliers worldwide, selecting a limited number for its annual Supplier Awards. IAI’s recognition in two categories reflects its work across both fighter jet programs, including meeting demanding production, quality and delivery requirements.

IAI and Lockheed Martin have maintained a strategic partnership since the late 1980s, cooperating on the development and production of aircraft structures for major aerospace and defense programs.

IAI has participated in the F-35 program since 2014, manufacturing wings at its wing assembly line. The company delivered its 350th F-35 wing to Lockheed Martin in February 2026. It has also supplied major structural components for the F-16 for more than 30 years, including wings, vertical fins and conformal fuel tanks. The conformal fuel tank was jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and IAI.

IAI also manufactures and assembles complex composite and metallic structures for military and commercial aerospace programs, supplying customers around the world.

Headquartered in Lod, IAI was established in 1953 and has grown into one of Israel’s largest corporations, employing approximately 15,000 people and maintaining partnerships with manufacturing companies worldwide.

The company’s early history is closely associated with Al Schwimmer, a World War II U.S. Air Force veteran who helped establish Israel’s aviation industry and mobilized foreign volunteers to support Israel during the 1948 War of Independence. Schwimmer also played a role in developing Israel’s aviation capabilities in the country’s early years.