Israel to buy 14 F-35 stealth fighters from US

Middle East, News, US February 23, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States is set to arm Israel with more fighter jets in a three-billion-dollar agreement signed between Washington and Tel Aviv over the weekend.

The deal includes 14 F-35 stealth fighters made by the US company, Lockheed Martin, at a cost of about $110 million each, Israeli officials announced on Sunday.

Other technological and training elements were also included in the military package.

Israel is expected to receive the fighter jets by the end of next year.

The United States provides Israel with some $8.5 million in military aid per day, adding up to over $3 billion annually.

Residents of central Gaza watch as an Israeli smart bomb destroys an apartment building where 35 people, many refugees, were said to be living

In November, the Department of Defense announced plans to arm Israel with 3,000 smart bombs as part of Washington’s military aid to Tel Aviv.

In December, American lawmakers passed a bill to deepen Washington’s bonds with Tel Aviv, making Israel a “major strategic partner” of the United States.

The US House of Representatives approved the US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, which reflects “the sense of Congress that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States,” and declares Washington’s “unwavering support” for Israel.

The US military aid to Israel has prompted several demonstrations across the country against such deals.

American protesters argue that the US taxpayer money is used for more Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

AGB/AGB