Jonathan Hoyle (Lockheed Martin): "The F-35 is an opportunity for the Spanish industry"

The American giant Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft and the MH-60R Romeo anti-submarine helicopters chosen by the Spanish Navy, has set up a stand at the International Defense Fair to take the pulse of the Spanish industry and assess the possibility of closing contracts with national manufacturers. It is a key moment in the relationship of the defense industry of the United States with Spain, and for this reason Minister Robles stopped for a long time in front of the prototype of the helicopter that was exhibited at the fair. The Spanish and US governments are also in talks about the F-35, the fifth-generation aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin and which is halfway between the Eurofighter and the FCAS, an aircraft that Europe is developing and which will not be operational until 2040.. That is why several countries of the European Union have already succumbed to the American aircraft and within ten years there will be 635 F-35 flying over European airspace.. At the moment, none will be Spanish. EL MUNDO spoke about all this with Jonathan Hoyle, Lockheed Martin's vice president for Europe.

How has the war in Ukraine affected you? Our big focus right now is the increase in demand generated by the war. Many defense administrations have realized that weapons stocks are at historically low levels and need to increase them.. So we see a lot of countries getting closer to committing to 2% of their budget for Defense, being more specific about what capabilities they are going to invest in, we see NATO taking a big role in what are the capabilities that allies require. .. everything is very active due to unfortunate circumstances. The conflict in Ukraine is definitely terrible and has shown that more capacity is needed and for companies to deliver it as soon as possible..
And are you prepared to respond to this demand? All companies are dealing with the supply crisis. Getting ammunition and missiles is much more difficult because the requirements are more specific, the technology is more advanced and you need algorithms and chips, and we all want that at the same time.. So there is a high demand and the factories are at low levels in terms of production.. We are working very hard with our suppliers, we are looking for second and third suppliers to get more people into production, we are looking around the world for companies to help us with manufacturing and respond to this supply crisis.
What do you expect from the International Defense Fair? The Spanish government has recently signed with the American government the purchase of the MH-60R Romeo, so there is a lot of attention paid to Spain's capabilities, at some point in the future they will require new aircraft. Although this is a negotiation at the government level, we have begun to explore with companies that are here the possibilities of being part of the teams that would be in charge of maintenance if the Spanish government decides to invest.
He speaks, I understand, of the F-35, why does Spain need them? I am not going to speculate on that because it is something of the Government. Normally they talk between governments and when they reach an agreement, then they contact us and we start working.
Spain has invested 4,000 million in the FCAS, the sixth generation aircraft that Europe will manufacture in 2040. Could I live with the F-35? The F-35 is available today, with the capabilities of a fifth-generation aircraft and its features. I don't know what the FCAS is going to be but in some way they will be compatible, but the FCAs will be ready in 2040. In ten years there will be 635 F-35s flying over European airspace. We've been working hard to make the F-35 compatible with the F-16 and we're working on making that connection to other aircraft, so it would be a surprise if they couldn't be compatible, but at this point we don't know how that will be.
You told me before that there are Spanish companies that can intervene in the maintenance of the F-35, you already have a relationship with national companies. We have a long and interesting relationship with Navantia that we see as a sustainable relationship in the future. Indra is part of that and we recognize its key role in the world of Air and Space. Also GMB, we have been very successful in Australia for communication systems and GMB has a very significant role in Spain.. We are always looking for technology from companies based in the country that can help us bring solutions to customers.. If we already have relationships that work with them, why not do it again?
So, and although it is a hypothetical question, if the F-35 purchase agreement is closed, will national companies benefit? We hope that the Spanish industry will play a significant role in supplies if the F-35 agreement is closed. It would be an opportunity for the Spanish industry if the Government chooses the F-35.