Fighter Production to Rise over the Next Decade
News Category: [Defence-Air]
(Newtown, Conn., March 24, 2008) -- In a new analysis, Forecast International projects that fighter aircraft manufacturers will deliver 3,345 new fighters over the next 10 years. According to the study, "The Market for Fighter Aircraft 2008-2017," it is estimated that the total value of production for the fighter market during this timeframe will be worth $164.5 billion.
The study notes that many nations are in the middle of a major, long-term re-equipment cycle. While annual fighter production is set to average around 300 aircraft per year through 2013, it will increase to 400 aircraft per year in 2014 as production of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II/Joint Strike Fighter ramps up later in the decade.
During the forecast period, the total value of annual production will fluctuate from $16.1 billion in 2008 to a 10-year low of $14.8 billion in 2013. It will then begin to grow in line with rising production levels, reaching $18.3 billion by 2017.
"Although fighter production will remain stable over the next few years, the U.S. military and allies of the United States are set to buy huge numbers of Lockheed Martin's F-35 to replace legacy fighter fleets in coming years," said Douglas Royce, Aerospace Analyst at Forecast International. "No other maker can look to such a potentially large market for its fighter aircraft."
Source : Forecast International Inc.