Overview
- Israel approved a multi‑billion‑dollar deal for two fighter squadrons, one F‑35 from Lockheed Martin and one F‑15IA from Boeing, according to the Defense Ministry.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz said the acquisition is meant to secure Israel’s air superiority for decades as part of the Iron Shield plan.
- Netanyahu said Israeli pilots can reach any point in Iranian airspace if required, framing the purchase as a deterrent signal.
- The prime minister vowed to begin building weapons and fighter jets in Israel, backed by a plan to add 350 billion shekels to defense spending over the next ten years.
- Israel already fields dozens of F‑35s, a stealth aircraft widely described as one of the most advanced in service.