Israel has approved the purchase of a third squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets in a deal worth $3 billion, the Ministry of Defense said.

The additional 25 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin will bring the number of F-35s in Israel’s air force to 75, the Ministry said, adding that the deal will be financed through the defense aid package Israel receives from the United States.

Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have agreed to involve Israeli defense companies in the production of aircraft components, the Israeli Ministry added.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Israeli procurement is the result of an agreement for the government of Israel to procure the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the Israeli Air Force (IAF) as the F-35I “Adir” (Mighty). The first nine F-35s became operational with the Israeli Air Force in December 2017.

Israel was the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35. On 22 May 2018, Israeli Air Force Commander, Major General Amikam Norkin, reported that Israel had become the first country in the world to use the F-35 in combat.

In November 2020, an F-35I testbed aircraft was delivered. This was the only example of a testbed F-35 delivered to an air force outside of the United States.

As of 13 November 2022, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has 36 F-35s in service, including the testbed stationed at the Flight Test Center at Tel Nof Airbase, and operates three squadrons at Nevatim Airbase - the 140th, 116th and 117th. (Reuters; Wikipedia; File Photo: IAF F-35I Adir on its first flight with the Israeli Air Force, 13 December 2016 © Wikipedia)