The U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

JNS.org – American defense, aerospace, and technology company Lockheed Martin has officially opened its first office in Israel.

The office, located in Be’er Sheva, is part of Israel’s plan to transform the Negev Desert region into a hub of the defense and high-tech industries.

“In the United States, Silicon Valley stands as our country’s center for information technology innovation,” Lockheed Martin President and CEO Marilyn Hewson stated. “With the opening of this office and the strategic investments being made by the IDF it is clear that Be’er Sheva is on its way to becoming the Silicon Valley of Israel.”