The Israeli Defense Ministry announced this Sunday that it has approved the purchase of a third squadron of 25 F-35 fighter jets from the United States of America, bringing the number of these aircraft in the Israeli fleet to 75.
The person in charge of the portfolio, Yoav Gallant, approved the deal, worth about $3,000 million (2.75 billion euros), on the recommendation of Army Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi, according to a statement released by the Times of Israel and quoted by Europa Press.
The agreement includes Israel and the construction company Lockheed Martin and makes the state the second country in the world to be allowed to make its own modifications to the planes, after the US.
Israel had already agreed with the company to purchase 50 F-35s to be delivered in batches of two and three aircraft expiring next year.
The Israeli government will finance part of the deal with the military economic aid it receives from the US, the news agency said.
Source: DN
