Israel Commits To F-35 Purchase

[Mirza Jatt]

Israel Commits To F-35 Purchase

Israel committed to buying the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter when Defense Ministry Director General Udi Shani signed a letter of offer and acceptance from the United States for the planes today in New York City, Lockheed Martin announced Oct. 7.

The move will make Israel the first non-F-35 partner nation to receive the planes through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The jets are slated to be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

In August, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave his approval to buy 20 of the fifth-generation jets, along with training and maintenance gear, using a $3 billion defense grant from the United States. The letter of offer and acceptance had been expected to be signed in September.

This comes just over a week after Tier-3 F-35 Partner Norway announced that it will delay its F-35A purchases from 2014 to 2016 to save money in the near term.

Israel Commits To F-35 Purchase - Defense News

 

[KS]

In August, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave his approval to buy 20 of the fifth-generation jets, along with training and maintenance gear, using a $3 billion defense grant from the United States. The letter of offer and acceptance had been expected to be signed in September.

This is hilarious man - Israel giving acceptance letter to buy fighters from the US using the money given to them by the US.

 

[K^se]

Israel signs contract to buy US-made fighter jets

By DAVE BRYAN (AP) – 11 hours ago

NEW YORK — The U.S. and Israeli governments signed an agreement Thursday for Israel's purchase of a squadron of 20 American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets that have the capability of reaching Iran undetected by radar.

Ministry of Defense Director-General Ehud Shani said at a signing ceremony at the Israeli consulate here that the jets would shift the balance of power in the Middle East, strengthening Israel's ability to defend its borders or counter with its own attack.

"In the region there are a lot of problems and challenges, and part of the solution are military capabilities," he said.

Israel considers Iran a strategic threat, and the warplanes would be capable of reaching Iran undetected by radar. Israel cites Iran's calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, its suspect nuclear program and its missiles as reasons for the threat.

Israel, the United States and others have accused Iran of seeking to use its Bushehr nuclear power plant and other civil nuclear sites as a cover for a secret program to develop atomic weapons, though Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

There was no immediate response to messages left with Iranian officials in Tehran and with Iran's U.N. Mission in New York on Thursday.

"This is a very important step toward ensuring a free and secure Israel," said U.S. Navy Vice Admiral David J. Venlet, the executive military officer who oversees the F-35 Lightning II Program. The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. military and other officials.

Israel has hinted it might take military action if international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program fail.

"Iran is a problem for all of the democratic and free world," Shani said. "One of the answers is the F-35."

Officials said Thursday the deal — seven years in the making — includes the purchase of 20 of the jets at a cost of nearly $2.75 billion. The aircraft will be adapted to Israeli technical specifications and delivery is expected between 2015 and 2017.

The Israelis have an option to purchase 55 more of the aircraft after that, and Shani said Israel intends to do that.

Israel's embassy in Washington released a statement Thursday calling the F-35 the most advanced fighter jet in the world and one that will "enhance Israel's ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat or combination of threats, from anywhere within the Middle East."

The United States agreed during President George W. Bush's administration to upgrade its strategic cooperation with Israel and supply it with $30 billion in advanced weaponry and equipment.

The Associated Press: Israel signs contract to buy US-made fighter jets

-LOL, I find it so funny Saudi Arabia buys 60 billion dollars worth of military hardware, that's going to be outdated in the next 5-10 years. Yet Israel buys 5th Generation F-35 Lightning Jets, with our Military Aid, that we send them. GOD THAT IS SO LOL, LockHeed Martin just pocketed 58 billion.

 

[amalakas]

Well, it is nice to see a final price finally for this plane.

From what we can tell, it is $96m for a "bare" plane, and $140m for the entire package, per plane.

And that is without incorporating all of the modifications the Israelis wanted.

Two things.

1) I doubt others will be given the same price as the israelis, probably much higher (but who knows, we'll see)

2) That is $140m per plane for the entire support package + weapons.. that is not cheap. not at all.. and taking into account that the israelis will develop alot of the onboard systems themselves, the cost for these is not included in the final price, which means, those who will buy the fully equipped plane with US systems, will be somewhat paying a higher price.

 

[K^se]

F-35 Variants that are for Isreali Air Force, are modified with Israeili Avionics from Israel Aero Space industries. So the aircraft will be fitted with the needs of the Israeli Air force.

 

[amalakas]

F-35 Variants that are for Isreali Air Force, are modified with Israeili Avionics from Israel Aero Space industries. So the aircraft will be fitted with the needs of the Israeli Air force.

That's what I am saying.. which means the price is cheaper because it does not include a bunch of systems the isrealis will install on the plane themselves.