Israel will Fly First F-35 Squadron Outside of United States

Israel’s famed air force is poised to become the first to fly a squadron of the ultra-modern F-35 stealth fighter. The first five of its initial order of 33 planes have been delivered since December, and Jerusalem has now announced that it has finalized its order for an additional 17 aircraft. The F-35 was the target of candidate Donald Trump’s ire during the campaign as he repeatedly denounced the high cost of the plane. Israel is paying $110 million for each of the first 33 and $100 million for the last 17 ordered. Israel needs the stealth capabilities to avoid missiles, particularly since Russia has provided Syria with S-300 defensive systems while Iran is fast becoming Syria’s in-house military. The planes are manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the United States.