Israel’s Ministry of Defense initiated the procurement process for a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35I “Adir” aircraft with the submission of an official Letter of Request (LOR).
The Israeli Ministry of Defense’s decision to acquire 25 additional F-35I “Adir” fighters to form a third squadron in the Israel Air Force (IAF) was announced in early July.
Following the approval of Defense Minister Yoav Galant and MoD Director General Major General (Ret.) Eyal Zamir, the Ministry of Defense procurement delegation in the U.S. submitted a formal Letter of Request (LOR) to the Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) to complete the approval and signing of the agreement in the coming months.
The Ministry of Defense will purchase from the U.S. government 25 F-35 aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, in a deal that includes support and maintenance. Once the transaction is completed, the fleet of the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft operated by the Israel Air Force will be expanded to 75 units. Delivery of aircraft to the IAF will begin in 2027 at a rate of 3 aircraft per year.
See also: Israel requested the purchase of 25 Boeing F-15IA Advanced Eagles
The scope of the deal is estimated at about $3 billion from U.S. aid funds. As part of the original agreement between the governments, the aircraft manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and the engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, committed to share with Israeli companies the production of F-35 aircraft sold to third countries, being integrated into the global supply chain of this fifth-generation fighter jet. The new agreement will continue the commitment of U.S. companies to cooperate in the production of aircraft parts with the Israeli industry.
