ISLAMABAD: Israel has given final approval to a plan to buy two new squadrons of advanced F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from US aircraft manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
The deal was approved by the Ministerial Procurement Committee, the first stage of a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) plan to strengthen the Israeli military, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the bulk of the expanded defense budget would be spent on weapons production in Israel to reduce the country’s foreign dependence, while Israel itself would develop modern aircraft.
The Defense Ministry said the new squadrons would be an important part of a long-term military strategy aimed at dealing with regional threats and maintaining Israel’s air superiority.
“In addition to immediate combat needs, we must take measures to ensure the superiority of the Israeli military for the next 10 years and beyond,” said Amir Baram, director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry.
He added that the recent Iran war has further highlighted the importance of the US-Israeli strategic relationship and the need for modern air power.
Under the agreement, Israel will purchase a fourth squadron of F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15 IA aircraft from Boeing.
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