25 More F-35s for Israel

[SvenSvensonov]

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel finalized the terms of Israel's purchase of a second squadron of F-35 fighter jets in recent days.

The move came after the previous Israeli government decided that the air force may buy up to three F-35 squadrons.

The first batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets are due in Israel in 2016, and 19 jets will arrive in Israel by 2018. From 2019, the jets that will make up the second squadron are expected to begin arriving.

The purchase of the second squadron is conditional on the approval of the ministerial committee for defense purchases, defense sources said.

The Israel Air Force will set up its first F-35 squadron in Nevatim Airbase in the Negev desert, which currently houses F-16 squadrons and C-130 Hercules transport planes.

The F-35 will ensure Israel’s regional qualitative edge in the first quarter of the 21st century, defense chiefs say.

Israel signed a $2.75 billion deal to purchase a squadron of 19 F-35s from Lockheed Martin in 2012, and received Pentagon approval to purchase an additional 75 platforms.

From Despite tensions with US, Israel to purchase second batch of F-35 fighter jets

additional links: Israel to buy 25 more F-35 Lockheed stealth fighters: sources| Reuters

U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs agree on deal for second F-35 squadron - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz

Some F-35 pics

 

[rockstar08]

great, buy USA weapons from USA Tax payers Money ... Awesome

 

[I <3 PAK ARMY]

they buy jets from american aid what a irony...!

 

[Alienoz_TR]

great, buy USA weapons from USA Tax payers Money ... Awesome

What would they do if American economy collapses? Eat sands, perhaps?

 

[TOPGUN]

What would they do if American economy collapses? Eat sands, pethaps?

Yes pretty much , they take mine and all American tax dollars each and every month to show their might in the region.

 

[Mercenary]

Not sure if this is a wise purchase by Israel.

These Jets are plagued with problems, rising costs, computer software issues, manufacturing defects, and are constantly being re-tooled.

Israel should have bought the Euro-Fighter Typhoon.

 

[S.U.R.B.]

Big purchase, eh?

BTW which of the variant from the A, B & C aircraft family we are talking about here?

 

[Superboy]

Only 25? Why not 2500? Money grows on trees in the US.

 

[rockstar08]

What would they do if American economy collapses? Eat sands, perhaps?

no they wont eat Sand , they already are bloody thirsty monsters ...

its interesting to see what American have to say /?? because their weapons are going to be used on Innocent Palestine peoples ..such double standards ..

Only 25? Why not 2500? Money grows on trees in the US.

dont worry they will get 2500 , after all Israel is illegitimate Child of Europe and USA

 

[Mercenary]

Big purchase, eh?

BTW which of the variant from the A, B & C aircraft family we are talking about here?

Probably the CTOL Variant.

Its designed to augment their existing F-16 Fleet.

 

[UKBengali]

Not sure if this is a wise purchase by Israel.

These Jets are plagued with problems, rising costs, computer software issues, manufacturing defects, and are constantly being re-tooled.

Israel should have bought the Euro-Fighter Typhoon.

The F-35 is a bad plane. It needs to stay relevant till around 2050 and the design wont have the staying power to be relevant beyond the 2020s.

It has lesser stealth than F-22 by design, lower top speed and is not highly manoeuvrable.

Only US allies would want to spend money to buy this jet unless they are given it for free

 

[trident2010]

In the hands of Israeli pilots these planes can create havoc.

 

[flamer84]

The F-35 is a bad plane. It needs to stay relevant till around 2050 and the design wont have the staying power to be relevant beyond the 2020s.

It has lesser stealth than F-22 by design, lower top speed and is not highly manoeuvrable.

Only US allies would want to spend money to buy this jet unless they are given it for free

Plus the US who plans to buy some 2500 "useless" jets.They're all brain dead in the Pentagon,they should simply copy the J20.

Anyway,does the F35 have DSI ? If not,i rest my case.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

Israel should have bought the Euro-Fighter Typhoon.

The $3 billion given the Israel from the US can only be spent on stuff manufactured in the US. So pretty much it's the US paying itself for $3 billion in Military Equipment.

 

[UKBengali]

Plus the US who plans to buy some 2500 "useless" jets.They're all brain dead in the Pentagon,they should simply copy the J20.

US has nearly 200 F-22s that would be used to swot away enemy planes first. F-22 production line can be restarted in the future if required. US simply has no need to produce any more at this stage.

The F-35 is designed to go in AFTER the F-22 clears the skies of enemy planes.

I repeat only a fool would buy this, unless they were given it for free or are US allies and doing it for other political/military benefits.