Israel selects Lockheed Martin F-35 for its next-generation fighter
Israeli Air Force will procure the F-35 aircraft under the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
Israel will be the first country to receive the F-35 through the FMS process. Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General (Maj. Gen. Ret.) Udi Shani has already signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of the F-35 aircraft in New York.
“We’re very pleased with the Government of Israel’s decision to move forward with the US government’s Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the F-35,” Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration, said in a company statement.
“The Lightning II will strengthen Israel’s national security posture both militarily and industrially,” he added.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment and lower operational and support costs.
