Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon visited the U.S. last week, but before leaving he secured an order for 25 additional F-35 stealth fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
U.S. and Israeli sources within the defense industry told Reuters on Wednesday that Israel is currently primed to receive a total of 44 F-35 stealth fighters.
In 2010, Israel signed a 2.75 billion deal with the Maryland-based aerospace company for 19 fighters. Those planes will arrive between 2016 and 2018, Reuters reported.
A U.S. source told the news agency that Israel’s second shipment of planes will begin arriving in 2019.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel had no immediate comment, and the Pentagon’s F-35 program declined comment for its story, Reuters reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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