Israel to halve second order of F-35 fighters
In talks in Washington last month, Ya'alon agreed to a preliminary deal for 25 to 31 planes, but members of ministerial committee raise objections, pushing for a smaller purchase of 10 to 15 planes.
Israel will place a second order for between 10 and 15 US-made F-35 fighter jets, around half the number previously mentioned by defense sources in both countries, Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday...
...Steinitz, one of the committee's members, told Reuters there was majority opposition to the scale of Ya'alon's order and preference for a smaller purchase of 10 to 15 planes. A final decision is expected in the coming days.
The ministerial committee was leaning towards approving a smaller order now and reexamining the deal in three years, when the first order of planes arrive and go into use.
While declining to go into detail about the closed-door discussions, Steinitz cited misgivings about whether the F-35's range, payload and manoeuvrability would suit Israel's needs...
