Israel will proceed with a $3 billion purchase of a new squadron of F-35 stealth combat aircraft from the United States, the Defense Ministry declared on Sunday.
With the acquisition of 25 more F-35s from Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, Israel’s fleet of stealth aircraft would total 75.
On the advice of Lt.-Gen. Ehud Barak, the chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authorized the acquisition. Halevi Herzi.
The American F-35 Directorate will receive a purchase request from Israeli officials, and the deal is expected to be finalized soon.
The Connecticut-based Pratt and Whitney, which manufactures the planes’ engines, is one of the other American businesses involved.
The Israel Air Force utilized the aircraft for the first time in battle in 2018. The aircraft, according to the Defense Ministry, are being paid for with help from the American armed forces.
A foundation for military aid was provided through a memorandum of understanding worth $38 billion that Israel and the U.S. inked in 2016.
The U.S. is the main conduit for the aid. Program for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the U.S. Contribution of the Department of Defense to the cost of collaborative projects like missile defense systems
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