Israel’s Ministerial Procurement Committee Approved Acquisition of Third F-35 Squadron
Currently, there are 39 “Adir” aircraft at the Nevatim Air Force Base in the south of the country
Dan Arkin
| 04/06/2024
Photo: Lockheed Martin
It is now official: At the beginning of the next decade, the Israeli Air Force will have three squadrons of F-35 “Adir” stealth aircraft, totaling 75 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
This week, the Ministerial Procurement Committee approved the acquisition of a third squadron of Adir aircraft, and the Director General of the Ministry of Defense instructed the procurement delegation in New York to sign the necessary documents. The procurement delegation will submit an official request to purchase 25 F-35 aircraft using security assistance funds.
Currently, there are 39 Adir aircraft out of the first 50 at the Nevatim Air Force Base in the south of the country, and yesterday the acquisition of 25 additional aircraft was approved, completing three squadrons in the future. A few months ago, the Minister of Defense approved the recommendation of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar to purchase a third Adir squadron in addition to the first 50, totaling 75 aircraft.
The cooperation between Lockheed Martin and Israeli defense industries will continue, with components and systems from these industries installed on the American aircraft for Israel. Among other things, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) manufactures the wings of the F-35 aircraft, and Elbit Systems produces the pilots' helmets.
The next essential projects on the agenda for the Air Force include new refueling aircraft and F-15 IA fighter jets manufactured by Boeing.
Currently, there are 39 “Adir” aircraft at the Nevatim Air Force Base in the south of the country
Photo: Lockheed Martin
It is now official: At the beginning of the next decade, the Israeli Air Force will have three squadrons of F-35 “Adir” stealth aircraft, totaling 75 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
This week, the Ministerial Procurement Committee approved the acquisition of a third squadron of Adir aircraft, and the Director General of the Ministry of Defense instructed the procurement delegation in New York to sign the necessary documents. The procurement delegation will submit an official request to purchase 25 F-35 aircraft using security assistance funds.
Currently, there are 39 Adir aircraft out of the first 50 at the Nevatim Air Force Base in the south of the country, and yesterday the acquisition of 25 additional aircraft was approved, completing three squadrons in the future. A few months ago, the Minister of Defense approved the recommendation of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar to purchase a third Adir squadron in addition to the first 50, totaling 75 aircraft.
The cooperation between Lockheed Martin and Israeli defense industries will continue, with components and systems from these industries installed on the American aircraft for Israel. Among other things, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) manufactures the wings of the F-35 aircraft, and Elbit Systems produces the pilots' helmets.
The next essential projects on the agenda for the Air Force include new refueling aircraft and F-15 IA fighter jets manufactured by Boeing.
