Israel Officially Begins Process to Purchase 25 F-35 Fighters from the U.S.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has officially initiated the process to purchase 25 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, which will constitute the third squadron of these aircraft in the Israeli Air Force. This was reported by the press service of the ministry.

Following the approval of the deal by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the Ministry's Director General Eyal Zamir, the Israeli side has sent an official request to the U.S. office of the F-35 Joint Program for the acquisition of the aircraft, after which a supply contract will be signed. The ministry stated that the deal will be finalized in the coming months.

“The Ministry of Defense will purchase 25 F-35s produced by Lockheed Martin from the U.S. government, under an agreement that includes support and maintenance. By the end of deliveries, the number of the world's most advanced aircraft used by the Israeli Air Force will reach 75. Deliveries of the [new batch of] aircraft to the Israeli Defense Forces will begin in 2027, with three aircraft delivered per year,” the report said.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense first announced its decision to buy another 25 F-35 fighters from the U.S. in July of this year. At that time, the ministry indicated that the deal would be valued at approximately $3 billion, funded by U.S. aid to Israel.

Israel decided to purchase F-35 aircraft from the U.S. in 2010. The first two such fighters landed at the Israeli Nevatim base in December 2016, and one year later, the army completed the acceptance process and announced the operational use commencement of the acquired aircraft. According to the Jerusalem Post, the last of the 50 aircraft already ordered from the U.S. is scheduled for delivery in 2024.