Exclusive: Boeing wins $9.2 billion contract for new Air force training jet - U.S. official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing Co's <BA.N> jet was selected to build the U.S. Air Force's next training jet in a contract worth up to $9.2 billion (7.03 billion pounds) over the life of the programme, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

Boeing teamed up with Sweden's Saab AB <SAABb.ST> to develop a new plane for the competition, beating out Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> and Leonardo DRS <LDOF.MI>.

The Air Force plans purchase of 351 of the jets and will begin to accept delivery in 2022, with the programme reaching full operation in 2034.

An Air Force spokeswoman declined to comment.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis)