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.
U.S. munitions have been expended at a high rate during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, prompting concerns that the Pentagon is eating into weapons stockpiles it needs to deter threats around the world. Yet the newly released $1.5 trillion defense budget request was developed before the war against Iran and…