F-35 - Israel bestiller ytterligere 14

Israel signs for next batch of F-35 'Adir' fighters

By: ARIE EGOZI

TEL AVIV

Source: 

15:22 23 Feb 2015

Israel's contract to purchase another 14 Lockheed Martin F-35 "Adir" 

fighters was signed late last week in Washington DC.

The Israeli air force and defence ministry had wanted to purchase
31 F-35Is, but strong opposition within the Israeli cabinet limited this 

number to 14 in the $2.82 billion deal. Each F-35 is being acquired 

for a unit cost of around $110 million, the defence ministry says.

The new contract also includes options for the 17 additional aircraft, 

plus funding for infrastructure such as simulators and to establish 

the capability to perform some maintenance activities in Israel. It 

also covers preparations for the installation of additional Israeli-

developed systems in the aircraft.

Speaking on 23 February, defence ministry sources said efforts 

will continue to purchase the additional number of stealth aircraft 

that are required to match the operational needs of the Israeli air

 force.

US Air Force

In 2010, Israel signed a first order to purchase an initial 19 

conventional take-off and landing F-35As.According to its defence 

ministry, the two first aircraft from this order will arrive in Israel 

at the end of 2016.

Israeli industrial participation in the F-35 programme includes 

the manufacturing of wings by Israel Aerospace Industries 

and Elbit Systems' involvement in producing its Vision Systems 

International helmet-mounted display system with Rockwell Collins.