Article Posted on : - Jul 22, 2010

The F-35 fighter aircraft. A Lockheed photo

JERUSALEM (BNS): Israel is likely to take a decision on the purchase of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) for its air force in the coming weeks, a media report has said.

Israeli defence officials led by Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet later this month and are expected to take a decision regarding the purchase of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft from the US, the Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday.

Last month, Pentagon had sent a Letter of Agreement to the Israeli Defence Ministry, giving it about 60 days to respond, the news report said.

Israel is mulling to buy one squadron of the advanced fighter aircraft and if it does so, then it will become the first foreign country to procure the new F-35s.

The country is also seeking to receive a high level of “offset” on the aircraft and has held talks with Pentagon in this regard. Such ‘offsets’ would mean that Israeli industries will manufacture spares and parts of the Joint Strike Fighters they will procure from US’ Lockheed Martin.

This could lead to business for Israeli industries worth $4 billion, the Jerusalem Post said.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth combat aircraft capable of performing close air support, tactical bombing and air defence missions. It is slated to replace the existing fleet of fighter aircraft of nine countries who are partnering in the joint project.

Lockheed Martin is building the fighter aircraft with its main industrial partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.