The Israeli government is seeking to spend upward of $15.2 billion for 25 Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 Joint Strike Fighters with an option to purchase 50 additional aircraft, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The initial request is for 25 Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft. The option could be for either 50 of the CTOL variant or for the F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, according to DSCA.
All aircraft will be configured with either the Pratt and Whitney [UTX] F-135 engines or General Electric [GE]-Rolls Royce F-136 engines. Other aircraft equipment includes: Electronic Warfare Systems; Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence/ Communication, Navigational and Identification; Autonomic Logistics Global Support System; Autonomic Logistics Information System; Flight Mission Trainer; Weapons Employment Capability, and other Subsystems, Features, and Capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; unique systems or sovereign requirements; reprogramming center, Hardware/Software In-the-Loop Laboratory Capability; External Fuel Tanks; and F-35 Performance Based Logistics. Also includes: software development/ integration, flight test instrumentation, aircraft ferry and tanker support, support equipment, tools and test equipment, spares and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics and program support, DSCA reported.
Israel needs these aircraft to augment its present operational inventory and to enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces, DSCA said.