The government refused to accept delivery of new F-35s for a year between 2023 and 2024, which led to jets being stockpiled at Lockheed Martin facilities.
Despite U.S. interest in deeper military ties with Vietnam, the Nov. 2 visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not yield an arms sales announcement.
When combined with another F-35 deal from December 2024, the Pentagon will pay Lockheed Martin about $24.3 billion for the 18th and 19th lots of the jets.