Israel signs $3 billion deal with US to buy third squadron of F-35 fighter jets

“This sends a powerful message to our enemies throughout the region.”

Jerusalem:

Israel said on Tuesday it has signed a $3 billion deal to buy a third squadron of 25 advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin, with deliveries starting in 2028.

“At a time when some of our adversaries aim to undermine our relationship with our greatest ally, we only further strengthen our alliance,” Defense Minister Yoav Galant said in a statement announcing the agreement.

“This sends a powerful message to our enemies throughout the region.”

The Defense Ministry said the deal would increase the number of F-35 jets in Israel’s fleet to 75.

“Delivery of the aircraft to the IDF (army) will begin in 2028, at a rate of three to five aircraft per year,” the ministry said in a statement.

Israel is the only country in the Middle East to possess the F-35, the world’s most advanced fighter jet, which is capable of flying stealth and can be used to gather intelligence, strike deep into enemy territory and engage in aerial combat.

In May 2018, the Israeli military said it had become the first country to use the F-35 in combat.

Even before the war with Hamas began on October 7, Israel had carried out hundreds of attacks on Syrian territory, mainly targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

In April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel using more than 300 drones and missiles during its war with Hamas in Gaza.

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