Israeli defense officials signed an agreement with the United States to acquire 14 additional F-35A strike fighters, bringing Israel’s total order to date to 33, reported the Jerusalem Post. Under a $2.82 billion deal announced by the Israeli defense ministry on Feb. 22, the Israelis will receive the 14 Lockheed Martin-built stealth jets, along with logistical support, flight and ground crew training, replacement parts, and maintenance services, according to the newspaper’s report. The package also includes development and integration of Israeli combat systems and avionics on the airplanes, states the report. This order builds upon the 19 F-35As that Israel bought in 2010 under a foreign military sales arrangement with the United States. Israel is scheduled to receive its first F-35As in 2016, reported the Associated Press.
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rolled out an expansive acquisition reform agenda earlier this month, he promised aggressive implementation and reorganization aimed at transforming the way the Pentagon develops and fields weapons and platforms. The plan appears to have been well-received by past administration officials and lawmakers from both parties who…
