As Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip continues to wreak havoc, reports indicate that the country is poised to acquire a third squadron of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the United States. An agreement between the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, paving the way for the delivery of the additional F-35I fighter jets to the Israel Air Force (IAF) in the latter half of the decade.
The move comes as Israel’s Defense Ministry’s Director-General, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, engaged in discussions with influential members of the American defense sector and officials from the Department of Defense. These conversations revolved around Israel’s ongoing efforts to bolster its armament and weapons procurement, particularly in the context of the Gaza War and potential future conflicts in the region. The aim is to maintain the Israel Defense Forces’ superiority and preparedness through the acquisition of cutting-edge platforms and capabilities.
Israel currently possesses two squadrons of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets. In July 2023, the country authorized the purchase of a third squadron worth $3 billion, bringing the total number of F-35I fighters in the IAF to 75. The financing of this acquisition will be facilitated through the defense aid package received from the United States.
Although the decision to acquire the F-35I Adir was made several months ago, Israel is now striving to expedite the process amid the ongoing military operations in Gaza. With the conflict raging on for over 111 days since October, Hamas claims that the death toll in the strip has surpassed 25,000.
In addition to the F-35, Israel is also keen on obtaining a squadron of 25 F-15IA fighter jets, which is the Israeli variant of the advanced F-15EX, as well as a squadron of 12 Apache helicopters. While a formal agreement has yet to be signed, Israel is likely to seek faster delivery of these aircraft.
Israel had previously agreed to purchase a total of 50 F-35 combat fighters from Lockheed Martin, with deliveries scheduled in batches until 2024. Last month, the United States confirmed that Israel had extensively employed its F-35I Adir stealth fighters in the ongoing military operations against Hamas. The combat performance of these advanced aircraft was praised, with high mission capability rates cited in the Middle East.
The Israeli Defense Force has verified that one F-35 aircraft successfully intercepted a cruise missile, demonstrating the capabilities of these technologically advanced fighters. A former F-35 pilot, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained the importance of these aircraft in minimizing civilian casualties during operations in densely populated areas like Gaza.
Israel also intends to modernize and expand its existing F-15 aircraft to transport heavy weaponry necessary for potential operations against Iran’s underground nuclear installations.
The F-35 Program Executive Officer, Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, applauded the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Israeli Air Force regarding aircraft turnaround time. This refers to the speed at which the Israeli Air Force can land, recover, and reset jets, ensuring the continuous operational readiness of their fleet.
As Israel continues its efforts to bolster its aerial capabilities, the acquisition of the third squadron of F-35I fighter jets marks a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of cutting-edge defense technology. With the conflict in Gaza ongoing and potential future threats in the region, Israel aims to maintain its military superiority and preparedness through the acquisition of advanced platforms and capabilities.
