Israel is the first country outside the United States to have the world’s most advanced combat fleet. namely the F35 stealth jet Photo/Reuters
JERUSALEM – Israel approved the purchase of the third squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets in a deal worth USD 3 billion or IDR 45 trillion. This is Israel’s attempt to anticipate threats from Iran and Syria.
The additional 25 aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin will bring the number of F-35s in the Israeli air force to 75. Reuters reported, the Israeli Defense ministry added that the deal will be financed through a defense aid package that Israel is receiving from the United States. .
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant agreed to the recommendations put forward by the head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi; the ministry’s director general, Eyal Zamir; and the head of the IAF, Major General Tomer Bar, hit the third F-35 squadron.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense said it would issue a formal request letter (LOR) to the US military’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office. “This step will facilitate the approval and signing of the transaction in the coming months,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said in an official statement.
Israel is the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35. In May 2018, the chief of its air force said that Israel was the first to use the plane in combat.
The F-35 is also known as the Joint Strike Fighter and in Israel by its Hebrew name “Adir” (Mighty). Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have agreed to involve Israeli defense firms in the production of aircraft components, the Israeli ministry added.
“This new agreement will ensure the continuation of cooperation between American companies and the Israeli defense industry in the production of aircraft parts,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Joshua Shani, CEO of Lockheed Martin Israel, said the company is honored that the Israeli government has announced its intention to purchase additional F-35s.
2023-07-02 12:16:51
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