IAF negotiates purchase of 100 F-35 fighter jets in $5 billion deal
High ranking Israeli delegations visit U.S., start talks over Lockheed Martin aircraft.
By Amir Oren Haaretz ServiceFORT WORTH, Texas- Israel Air Force is considering ordering 100 of Lockheed Martins' F-35 fighter jets at a cost of some 5 billion dollars to be delivered as of 2014.
In recent months, senior IAF officers and defense ministry officials have visited the U.S. in order to sign an advanced deal which would allow the aircraft to be with fitted with electronic and communication systems according to their specific requirements.
Sources report negotiations have been progressing despite the troubled relationship between the American and Israel defense industries which has been on edge since U.S. opposition caused the cancellation of a deal Israel signed to deliver China with four surveillance aircraft last year.
The F-35 project, funded jointly by the U.S., Canada and the U.K., is still in the developmental stage and is scheduled to fly for the first time in late 2006.
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The F-35 fighter jet. (Archives) |
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