Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has approved the purchase of an F-35 joint strike fighter (JSF) from the US for the country’s air force.
“The F-35 will provide Israel with continued air superiority and help retain its qualitative military edge in the region,” he said.
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“The plane will provide the air force with improved capabilities for ensuring Israel’s security when operating near and far away.”
A fifth-generation stealth fighter, the F-35 will be able to evade all radars and anti-aircraft missile systems, according to the Jerusalem Post.
In the first batch, Israel will buy 20 JSFs, with a configuration similar to that used by the US Air Force, for an estimated $2.75bn.
The second batch, to arrive in the second half of the decade, will be designed according to Israeli specifications and include locally designed and manufactured systems.
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By GlobalDataUnder the deal with the US, Israel will start receiving the JSFs, simulators, spare parts and routine maintenance support in 2015.
