Israel Purchases 17 More F-35 Fighter Jets from the U.S.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that it has finalized a contract to purchase 17 additional advanced F-35 fighter bombers made in the U.S., thereby receiving a total of 50 bombers promised to Israel by the previous U.S. administration. According to Israeli media, the Ministry of Defense stated in a statement that the agreement for the acquisition of these 17 state-of-the-art jets, previously in the possession of the U.S. military, was signed in recent days. The Haaretz newspaper noted that the purchase of these 17 F-35s was an option offered to Israel by the Barack Obama administration in 2014, which the country is now implementing. A previous agreement for the sale of 33 additional jets was signed during Obama’s presidency and was supported by the U.S. Congress. The new deal has a lower cost, with each jet priced at less than $100 million, whereas the earlier purchase of 33 jets was made at a higher price. According to Haaretz, Israel will use the 50 F-35 jets for two operational squadrons but is also considering purchasing more of this type for a third squadron. One important feature of these bombers is their vertical takeoff and landing capability, but their radar-evading power for operations needed by Israel can be a significant advantage. The report states that last week, a U.S. military delegation led by General Matthew Winter, who is responsible for the F-35 project, visited Israel and described the fighter jet deal as a sign of 'strong cooperation and alliance between Israel and the U.S.' Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Minister of Defense, stated that the country faces 'multiple security challenges far from its borders and beyond, and advanced fighter jets significantly enhance Israel's strategic capabilities.' Since declaring Iran's nuclear program a 'vital threat' to its existence, Israel has strengthened its air force more than ever, increasing fighter jet purchases and conducting more maneuvers in Europe and the U.S., which some experts view as training for potential military action against Iran's nuclear facilities. Despite eight years of tensions with the Israeli government, Barack Obama strengthened the Israeli military more than any other administration by granting $38 billion in aid to Israel over a ten-year period until 2028, with strong Congressional support. Meanwhile, Israel openly opposes the sale of modern American fighter jets to Arab countries in the region, even to Sunni moderate governments that do not have active hostility towards Israel.