Image source: topwar.ru
Israel will purchase the third squadron of American fifth-generation F-35 fighters in the F-35I Adir modification, the corresponding decision has already been made. This is reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Israel.
The Israeli military department decided to put the third squadron of F-35I fighters into service with the country's Air Force, thereby bringing the total number of American aircraft to 75. To date, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has two squadrons of F-35I fighters with a total of 50 units, and not all aircraft have been delivered yet, the last deliveries are expected next year.
Plans to purchase a third squadron of F-35I Adir with a total of 25 units in Tel Aviv were announced back in January 2021, and in February of the same year, the purchase of FMS was agreed, but the final decision was made only now.
- the message says.
25 American fighter jets will cost Israel about $ 3 billion, the deal will be financed from the American aid fund. In other words, the United States itself will pay for the delivery from the funds allocated to Israel.
The F-35I (Adir) is a modification of the F-35A aircraft designed specifically for Israel. Israeli specialists install a number of their own developments in the field of avionics and weapons on the acquired Lockheed Martin F-35I Lightning II fighters, thereby adapting them to their tasks.
