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Lockheed secures Morocco contract Lockheed secures Morocco contract
(about 3 hours later)
US defence group Lockheed Martin has won a contract worth $841.9m (£528.2m) to supply Morocco with 24 F-16 fighter aircraft and support equipment.US defence group Lockheed Martin has won a contract worth $841.9m (£528.2m) to supply Morocco with 24 F-16 fighter aircraft and support equipment.
The contract builds on a smaller deal struck by the two partners last year.The contract builds on a smaller deal struck by the two partners last year.
Lockheed beat France's Dassault Aviation, which makes the Rafaele jet fighter, to the contract.Lockheed beat France's Dassault Aviation, which makes the Rafaele jet fighter, to the contract.
The F-16 is one the world's most popular fighter jets. More than 4,300 have been produced for 24 countries across the globe.The F-16 is one the world's most popular fighter jets. More than 4,300 have been produced for 24 countries across the globe.
These include Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Poland and Thailand.These include Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Poland and Thailand.
"This contract represents a big strategic win for Lockheed Martin - export sales to North Africa have often been mentioned and this is a move that will ensure the company gains a foothold in a growing market," said Saj Ahmad, aerospace analyst with Gerson Lehrman Group.