Israel Greenlights $3 Billion Purchase of 25 Additional F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets
The Defense Ministry of Israel announced on Sunday that it had sanctioned the acquisition of 25 new F-35 stealth fighter jets from the US. Valued at about $3 billion, the deal will be funded through the defense aid package the US provides to Israel.
As stipulated in the original agreement between the two nations, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, manufacturers of the aircraft and engines respectively, will collaborate with Israel’s defense industries to produce aircraft components. This procurement will increase the Israeli Air Force’s fleet of F-35s to 75.
Give the gift of hope
We practice what we preach:
accurate, fearless journalism. But we can't do it alone.
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
Join us.
Support The Media Line. Save democracy.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the acquisition, following recommendations from military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir, and Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar.
Israel was the first nation outside the US to obtain the F-35 aircraft. The Israeli Air Force utilizes a custom variant of the jet, dubbed “Adir,” meaning “mighty” in Hebrew. The country’s first nine F-35s became operational in December 2017, and by May 2018, the first plane was deployed for combat.
