Israel to purchase 25 more F-35 fighter jets from US

TEL AVIV

Israel has approved the purchase of 25 more F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the US in a deal worth $3 billion, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

With the acquisition of a third F-35 stealth fighter jet fleet, the number of F-35s in the Israeli Air Force inventory will increase to 75.

The ministry said that the aircraft will be financed through the defense aid package Israel receives from the US.

In September 2016, the US announced an aid deal that would give the Israeli military $38 billion from 2019 to 2028.

*Writing by Esra Tekin