Lockheed Martin Upgrades Italian F-35 Assembly Stations
The U.S. government issued a $9.4 million contract to modernize production facilities at Italy’s Cameri plant.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Lockheed Martin is upgrading three F-35 assembly stations at the Cameri plant in Italy to enhance production for the U.S. military and international partners. The $9.4 million contract modification supports the installation of advanced computer-controlled fixtures.
Why it matters
These upgrades are designed to streamline the assembly of fuselage and wing sections at a critical global facility. The Cameri plant remains the only non-U.S. site capable of producing the F-35B variant, highlighting its ongoing strategic importance.
The contract modification totals $9.4 million, with most work performed in Fort Worth and 7% handled in Cameri. The plant, which produced 65 aircraft from 2021 to 2025, supports a global program employing over 1,000 Leonardo staff members.
The players
Lockheed Martin
An American aerospace and defense corporation that serves as the prime contractor for the F-35 Lightning II program.
Leonardo
An Italian multinational aerospace, defense, and security company that co-manages the Cameri final assembly facility.
Italian Ministry of Defence
The Italian government agency that owns the Cameri plant and oversees domestic military procurement and defense infrastructure.
The details
The upgrades involve implementing computer-controlled fixtures that precisely align fuselage and wing components during the manufacturing process. This facility is currently responsible for approximately one-third of all F-35 wings produced globally.
Timeline
December 2015: Cameri delivered its first non-U.S. built F-35.
2021-2025: Cameri completed the production of 65 F-35 aircraft.
End of 2025: Leonardo employed over 1,000 F-35 program staff members.
January 2026: Italy had taken delivery of approximately 40 F-35 aircraft.
March 2028: The upgrade work is scheduled for completion.
Market Landscape
These upgrades reinforce the strategic role of the F-35 Lightning II program in global defense manufacturing. By enhancing non-U.S. assembly capacity, the project bolsters the operational network against rival defense manufacturing hubs.
The modernization of these assembly lines supports the delivery of aircraft to global partners like the Netherlands and Poland. This long-term industrial investment ensures consistent supply chain operations for the 115-aircraft Italian fleet and international orders.
The takeaway
Investment in specialized international manufacturing hubs like Cameri remains central to maintaining high-output defense production. Maintaining these facilities ensures that assembly capacity can keep pace with the requirements of international military partners.
What happens next
The facility is currently planning an expansion from 13 maintenance bays to 21, with completion of that project expected by 2029.
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