Despite ongoing tensions between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following nearly eight months of war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced on June 4 that it had signed an agreement with the U.S. government for the purchase of a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets.
Key points:
- Israel will acquire 25 additional F-35 aircraft, increasing its fleet of stealth fighters to 75 units.
- Delivery of the aircrafts will begin in 2028.
- The value of the deal is estimated at about $3 billion in U.S. aid.
Israel, which is the only country in the Middle East to own F-35 fighters, known as F-35I “Adir” within the Israeli Air Force (IAF), signed a $3 billion deal with Washington (from U.S. aid funds) for the purchase of an additional 25 aircrafts to create a third squadron equipped with this model. Under the original government-to-government agreement, aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney committed to involve Israeli companies in the production of F-35 aircraft sold to third countries.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed an agreement with the U.S. government for the third squadron of the “Adir” (F-35) aircraft, which will be integrated into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). pic.twitter.com/zKixtrgFwR
— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) June 4, 2024
Strategic alliance remains strong
Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, “The acquisition of the third squadron of Adir jets, which joins the ranks of the Israeli Air Force, is yet another demonstration of the strength of the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance and its far-reaching impact in arenas near and far. At a time when some of our adversaries yearn to weaken the deep bond with our greatest ally, our security and strategic ties with the United States receive a significant boost, sending a resounding message to all our enemies in the region. My thanks and appreciation to our colleagues in the Department of Defense and throughout the U.S. government for securing another pillar in establishing the qualitative advantage of the State of Israel.”
According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense press release, the first examples will begin to be delivered by the manufacturer (US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin) from 2028, and will arrive in Israel at a rate of “three to five aircraft per year”.
Israel was one of the first countries to receive the advanced fifth-generation fighter, with the first units arriving in the country in 2016, and one of the few allowed to make modifications to the aircraft to better suit their requirements.
