Lockheed Martin Corp waiting to finalise F-16 orders from Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) is using its own funds to pay suppliers and stave off the closure of its F-16 fighter jet production line as it waits to finalise orders from Pakistan and other countries, a company official said on Tuesday.

Orlando Carvalho, who heads Lockheed’s Aeronautics division, said the cost of keeping the F-16 supply chain ready for further orders was “very manageable,” but did not elaborate.