Israel signs F-35 deal with US for 25 more warplanes

Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed a $3 billion deal with the US government for a third squadron of twenty-five F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, Breaking Defense reports citing the government's announcement on June 6.

The signing of the Letter of Acceptance between US and Israeli government officials seals the order, which was agreed to in July 2023 after years of consideration by the MoD about the right number of the fifth-gen stealth fighters needed by the IDF.

“The procurement of the third F-35 squadron reflects the strength of the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States. This capability has a significant impact on arenas both near and far. At [a] time when some of our adversaries aim to undermine our ties with our greatest ally, we only further strengthen our alliance,” Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said.

The 25 warplanes, known as the “Adir” in Israel, will be manufactured by Lockheed Martin and the deal comes “complete with support and maintenance services,” the ministry said in its statement. The planes will be delivered beginning in 2028, with three to five arriving every year — meaning it could take until 2036 for all the aircraft to arrive.

Israel received its first F-35 in 2016 and since then the planes have become the backbone of the Israeli Air Force. The warplanes carried out their first combat operations in 2018 and Israel created a second squadron for them in 2020.

The procurement of the aircraft comes as Israel is also weighing other aeroplane deals. Israel acquired new KC-46A tankers and CH-53K helicopters in 2022, but is also looking to buy more F-15s and may seek more combat helicopters