Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Lockheed

Martin ( LMT ) raised its 2025 forecast for revenue and profit on

Tuesday, driven by sustained demand for its fighter jets and

munitions amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

Weapons makers are benefiting from surging demand for arms

as a result of simmering conflicts in the Middle East and a

protracted Russia-Ukraine war.

Lockheed, which makes the F-35 stealth fighters, said its

aeronautics segment sales jumped 11.9% to $7.26 billion in the

third quarter.

The program secured a long-awaited $12.5 billion contract

from the Pentagon last month, for a total of 296 F-35 jets.

Lockheed has also clinched some large agreements recently,

including an about $11 billion navy contract to build up to 99

CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, and a nearly $10 billion

contract for Patriot missiles.

The commitments underscore a growing need for the U.S.

government and its allies to replenish stockpiles and load up on

new weapons.

Lockheed, the largest defense contractor in the world, is

also vying for a slice of the Trump administration's $175

billion marquee Golden Dome missile shield, for which the

Pentagon began doling out contracts last month.

The company's total revenue rose 8.8% to $18.61 billion in

the third quarter from $17.1 billion a year ago. Profit per

share came in at $6.95.

It now expects a profit of $22.15 to $22.35 per share for

2025, compared with its previous estimate of $21.70 to $22.00.

The company also raised the lower end of its sales outlook

to $74.25 billion from $73.75 billion, while maintaining the

higher end at $74.75 billion.

(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru and Mike Stone in

Washington; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)