IAF Eyes Additional Joint Fighter Aircraft

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is planning to acquire an additional 20 F-35 Lightning aircraft under a multiyear procurement plan, which is under review by Israel military chiefs. The IAF could operate 40 Joint Fighter Aircrafts by the end of the decade if the second tranche procurement is

vasundhara August 14, 2011

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is planning to acquire an additional 20 F-35 Lightning aircraft under a multiyear procurement plan, which is under review by Israel military chiefs.

The IAF could operate 40 Joint Fighter Aircrafts by the end of the decade if the second tranche procurement is approved, as the IAF acquired 20 of the stealth jets last year.

The Lockheed Martin F-35s, considered the most advanced combat aircraft in existence, will allow air supremacy for the IAF in the region.

The IAF currently operates 324 F-16s and 87 Boeing F-15s, which are spearheaded by 25 F-15I Ra’am and 101 F-16I Sufa models built to Israeli specifications, according to UPI.