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5 months ago
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The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the conclusion of a deal with its American counterpart, worth $3 billion, to purchase American F-35 fighter jets, coinciding with the continuation of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
The ministry said in a statement, reported by the Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz", that it had signed a deal with the US administration to purchase 25 F-35 fighters, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
She added that the value of the deal is estimated at about $3 billion in American aid funds to Israel.
Israel will begin receiving the fighters starting in 2028, at a rate of 3 to 5 aircraft annually, including support and maintenance, according to the statement.
The statement indicated that after Israel obtains the 25 fighters, its fleet of this type will be expanded to 75, as it currently possesses 50 stealth fighters.
Haaretz said: “The F-35, which is known as a fifth-generation fighter, will be the future fighter of the Israeli Air Force.”
She pointed out that “one of its prominent operational features is stealth, that is, the ability to fly in a system that is not detected by enemy radar systems.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, "The deal to purchase the third squadron is further evidence of the strength and power of the strategic alliance between the United States and Israel."
It is noteworthy that last April, US President Joe Biden signed an aid package for Israel amounting to $26.4 billion, including $14 billion in military aid to Israel.
For about 8 months, the Israeli occupation army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, with American support, that left more than 119,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and about 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of children and the elderly.
English (US)