An estimated tens of billions of shekels, the decision, validated by the Ministerial Committee on Security Affairs, involves the purchase of a fourth squadron of F-35 “Adir” aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin, as well as a second squadron of F-15IA made by Boeing. The program also includes their integration into the air force, as well as the needs for support, spare parts, and logistics.
This acquisition marks the first step in a strategic plan to strengthen military capabilities for the next decade, with a total budget of 350 billion shekels approved by the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Katz, emphasized that this decision stems from the lessons learned from the confrontation with Iran, asserting the need to accelerate the development of military capabilities. According to him, this program aims to ensure the Israeli Defense Forces maintain a lasting qualitative advantage against regional threats.
Israeli authorities believe that these new squadrons are a central element of the military apparatus for decades to come, allowing them to maintain Israel’s strategic air superiority in the region.
The Ministry of Defense also stated that steps were being taken to finalize agreements with the American authorities responsible for the production of the aircraft within a close timeframe.
The Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, Amir Baram, emphasized the importance of this decision in a regional context marked by evolving threats, emphasizing that this reinforcement aims to ensure the preparedness of the Israeli army for future challenges.
