’Israel’ may Place 2nd Order of US-Made Fighter Jets: Zionist Ynet

Local Editor

"Israel" is likely to place a second order for between 12 and 15 US-made F-35 fighter jets, around half the number previously mentioned by war sources in both the United States and "Isreal", Zionist Ynet newspaper reported on Monday.

"Israel" bought 19 F-35s for $2.75 billion in 2010, with delivery scheduled between 2016 and 2018.

"Israeli" War Minister Moshe Yaalon, who visited the United States recently last month [October], agreed a preliminary deal for 25 to 31 more planes, subject to approval by an "Israeli" ministerial committee, sources said.

With a decision pending, the Zionist Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that most of the ministers opposed the scale of Yaalon's order, preferring a smaller purchase of 12 to 15 planes.

An official said the ministerial committee included "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and four other senior cabinet members, as well as Yaalon. It has met four times to discuss the F-35 purchase, twice deferring deadlines on a decision.

Moreover, Yedioth cited misgivings about whether the F-35's range, payload and maneuverability would suit "Israel's" needs. The "Israelis" are also husbanding a war budget which, though buoyed by some $3 billion in annual US grants, faces cuts.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team