Israel acquires a third squadron of F-35 Adir aircraft
The deal is worth about $3 billion, funded by US aid money
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday endorsed the recommendation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevy, the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, and the commander of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Barr to purchase a third squadron of F-35 fighters for the Air Force.
The Department of Defense will purchase a total of 25 aircraft from the US government, which will be manufactured by Lockheed Martin. This acquisition will bring the world’s most advanced aircraft fleet operated by the Israel Air Force to 75 aircraft.
Following approval by the Secretary of Defense, the IMOD Mission in the United States will issue a formal letter of request (LOR) to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO). This step will facilitate the approval and signing of the deal in the coming months.
The value of the deal is approximately $3 billion, which will be funded by US aid money. As part of the initial agreement between the two governments, the aircraft manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and the engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, pledged to involve Israeli defense industries in the production of components for the aircraft sold.
This new agreement will ensure continued cooperation between American companies and Israeli defense industries in the production of aircraft parts.
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