Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced its intention to acquire 25 additional F-35 “Adir” fighters to form a third squadron.
The Israel Ministry of Defense and the IDF will acquire a third squadron of “Adir” F-35 aircrafts: 25 aircrafts manufactured by @LockheedMartin will be purchased from the US government. pic.twitter.com/mkVaY5qpiV
— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) July 2, 2023
Announced on its social networks, the Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces informed that they will soon be placing a formal request to the US Government for the acquisition of 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightining II fighters, known in Israel as “Adir”.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant approved the recommendation of Chief of Staff Major Colonel Harzi Halevi, Defense Ministry Director General Colonel (Res.) Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Colonel Tomer Bar to equip a third ‘Adir’ squadron.
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Following approval by the Minister of Defense, the U.S. Department of Defense procurement delegation will issue a formal procurement request (LOR) to the U.S. JPO, with the aim of completing the approval and signing of the transaction in the coming months.
The cost of the deal is estimated at about $3 billion, which would come out of U.S. military aid funds. As part of the original offset agreement between the governments, the aircraft manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and the engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, committed to share with Israeli companies the production of F35 aircraft sold to third countries. The new agreement will allow the continuation of the U.S. companies’ commitment to cooperate in the production of aircraft parts with Israeli industries.
See also: Israeli F-35Is could attack Iran without the need for in-flight refueling
Upon completion of the transaction, the fleet of the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft operated by the Israel Air Force will be expanded to 75 units.
