TSAMTO, October 11. According to the Israeli Air Force Command, another batch of three fifth-generation F-35I ADIR fighters landed at the Nevatim Airbase after flying from Lockheed Martin.
The fighters that arrived on September 26 will join the combat structure of the 116th Squadron ("Lions of the South") formed in January 2020, stationed at the Nevatim Airbase.
Thus, at the moment, as part of the contract signed in 2010, Lockheed Martin has delivered 30 fighters to the Israeli Air Force. It is assumed that by the end of 2024, the Israeli Air Force will be armed with 50 units of the F-35I.
As reported by TSAMTO, in September 2008, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress of the planned sale to Israel under the Foreign Military Sales program of 25 F-35A fighters in the conventional take-off and landing version (ORP) with an option for additional purchase of 50 aircraft of the ORP version or with short take-off and vertical landing (CVVP), as well as services and equipment related to the contract. The full cost of the program was estimated at up to $15.2 billion.
An order for the supply of the first 19 F-35A fighters worth $2.75 billion under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Ministry of Defense of Israel posted in October 2010. For economic reasons, it was decided to divide the second batch of aircraft into two tranches. On February 22, 2015, the Israeli Defense Ministry signed a contract worth $2.82 billion for the supply of 14 F-35A fighters, as well as related equipment and services. All fighters of the second batch are expected to be delivered in 2021. At the end of August 2017, an agreement was signed for the purchase of additional ADIR, which increased the total number of F-35A ordered by Israel to 50 units. Their delivery should be completed in 2024.
The Israeli Air Force received the first F-35A during a ceremony held on June 22, 2016 in Fort Worth (pcs.Texas). The first pair of F-35I landed at the Nevatim Airbase on December 12, 2016. On December 6, 2017, after the arrival of 9 aircraft, the Israeli Air Force announced the readiness of the F-35I ADIR fleet for combat use.
The first aircraft were part of the 140th squadron "Golden Eagle", stationed at the Nevatim Air Base. Now the 116th Squadron is equipped with fighters.
