SUMMARY
- Israel increases its arsenal with the addition of 25 new F-35 stealth fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
- Funded via the US defense aid package, the F-35, known in Israel as 'Adir' (Mighty), sees its tally rise to 75 in the Israeli air force.
- Israeli defense companies get a share in the production pie, with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney agreeing to collaborate on aircraft component manufacture.
Israel's Ministry of Defense recently announced its approval for the acquisition of a new fleet of F-35 stealth fighter jets, a move that's valued at an impressive $3 billion. This third purchase of cutting-edge aerial weaponry, built by the reputable Lockheed Martin, raises Israel's F-35 count to a robust 75.
It's important to note that this substantial financial undertaking is funded via the defense aid package that Israel regularly receives from its long-time ally, the United States.
An interesting piece of trivia about Israel's relationship with the F-35 - they were the first country, beyond the US, to welcome these state-of-the-art machines into their military fleet. And it was in May 2018 that Israel's air force chief declared the country's trailblazing status as the first to utilize the F-35 in actual combat situations.
Known colloquially in the United States as the Joint Strike Fighter, Israel has christened the F-35 with the Hebrew name 'Adir', translating to 'Mighty'. An apt name, indeed, for such a powerful piece of military hardware.
Further sweetening the deal, Lockheed Martin, along with engine producer Pratt & Whitney, have consented to the inclusion of Israeli defense companies in the production of aircraft components. This move signifies a strengthening of ties and collaboration in the future.
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