Washington ? A new fleet of presidential helicopters will be built by Lockheed Martin and its international partners, the Navy announced Friday, ending a fierce competition that had both political and international implications.

Saying the president “needs a more survivable helicopter while the nation engages in the global war on terrorism,” John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, said Lockheed met all of the security and technology requirements at the best price.

The $6.1 billion program to buy 23 high-tech, high-security aircraft is emblematic of the outsourcing of American jobs and the question of how open the U.S. military market is to foreign contractors.

Some members of Congress criticized the decision to put the U.S. president in an aircraft that will be made partially overseas.

“It is difficult to understand why we would use U.S. tax dollars to fund the further development of foreign helicopter technology,” said House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.

But New York lawmakers hailed the decision, which will bring a new manufacturing plant to Owego, N.Y., and as many as 750 new jobs. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said it was a testament to Lockheed’s business leadership.

Lockheed’s president, Robert J. Stevens, said his team would begin work immediately to set up a secure facility in Owego, and an assembly plant in Amarillo, Texas.

Lockheed Martin is the winner in contract bids for the new presidential Helicopter. The US101, shown above flying over New York City, is based on a British-Italian AgustaWestland aircraft, now owned by Finmeccanica. The helicopter has several key components, including the main transmission and rotor blades, that will be built overseas.

Maryland-based Lockheed and its European partners waged a major public relations campaign, with the help of political leaders from Britain and Italy. The British government welcomed the decision, saying it would benefit both the United States and Britain. There was no immediate reaction from Italy.

The decision was a blow to Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft, which has built the presidential fleet since 1957 and saw the contract as a point of pride.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who was at the Sikorsky plant in Stratford, and other Connecticut lawmakers pledged to fight the decision.

“It looks like the U.S. Navy just shot down an American helicopter,” said Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn. “This deal results in a net loss of American jobs. We’re going to go over this with a fine-toothed comb.”

The $6.1 billion program has $2.5 billion for development and $3.6 billion to buy the aircraft. Lockheed will receive an initial installment of $1.6 billion.