The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IDF) will acquire 25 F-35 aircraft from the American government, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, in a deal that includes support and maintenance. With the completion of the contract, the Israeli Air Force will operate a total of 75 advanced stealth fighter aircraft in the world. The supply of the aircraft to the IDF will begin in 2027 at a rate of three aircraft per year.
Following the approval of the Minister of Defence, Yoav Galant, and the Director-General of the Ministry of Defence, Major General (Ret.) Eyal Zamir, the procurement delegation of the Ministry of Defence in the United States has submitted a formal Letter of Request (LOR) to the American F-35 Program Office (JPO) with the goal of finalizing and signing the contract in the coming months.
The estimated contract value is approximately $3 billion (£2.4 billion) from American aid funds. As part of the original agreement between the governments, the aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin and the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney committed to involving Israeli companies in the production of F-35 aircraft sold to equipped countries.
The new contract will allow for the continued implementation of the American companies' commitment to collaborate with the Israeli industry in producing components of the aircraft.
As the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, the F-35 strengthens national security, enhances global partnerships and powers economic growth.
