Israel on Sunday approved a multi-billion-dollar agreement to purchase two squadrons of combat aircraft from the United States, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the deal would strengthen the country\u2019s air dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The acquisition includes one squadron of F-35 stealth multi-role fighters produced by Lockheed Martin and another squadron of F-15IA aircraft manufactured by Boeing, according to Israel\u2019s defence ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the plan is intended to secure Israel\u2019s air superiority for decades ahead. He emphasized that the addition of F-35 and F-15IA jets is a key component of the \u201cShield of Israel\u201d strategy, aimed at maintaining the Israeli military\u2019s long-term technological and operational advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The F-35 programme, developed jointly by the United States and several partner nations, is considered among the most advanced fighter jet systems in the world. Israel already operates dozens of these aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu reiterated that the deal would enhance Israel\u2019s \u201coverwhelming air superiority\u201d while also announcing plans to expand domestic weapons and aircraft production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that Israeli pilots are capable of operating across vast distances, including over Iran, and are prepared to do so if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Netanyahu said that over the next ten years, Israel will allocate an additional 350 billion shekels (around $118 billion) to its defence budget to develop locally manufactured weapons and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also highlighted plans to create innovative \u201cblue-and-white\u201d aircraft \u2014 a term used for Israeli-made products \u2014 saying this development would significantly transform the country\u2019s military capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israel\u2019s air force has been heavily involved in the ongoing war in Gaza, carrying out one of the most extensive aerial bombardment campaigns in recent times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thousands of airstrikes have targeted positions that Israel says belong to Hamas, including tunnels, command hubs, and rocket launch sites. However, large portions of the densely populated territory have been devastated, with homes, hospitals, and schools among the damaged infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, Israel has engaged in two conflicts with Iran within less than a year, during which its air force conducted long-range strikes deep into Iranian territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country recently approved its 2026 national budget, which includes a significant increase in defence spending. Military expenditures have continued to rise steadily since the Gaza war began.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Israel on Sunday approved a multi-billion-dollar agreement to purchase two squadrons of combat aircraft from the United States, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the deal would strengthen the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3733,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[52,254],"class_list":["post-3732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world","tag-israel","tag-united-states"],"yoast_head":"\n