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By Steven Scheer<\/p>\n
JERUSALEM, May 3 (Reuters) – Israel gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA advanced fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin \u200cand Boeing in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars, the defence ministry \u200csaid on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The deal, approved by Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Procurement, is a first step in a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) \u200bplan to bolster Israel’s military and “strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security,” it said.<\/p>\n
It added that the new squadrons will serve as a cornerstone of the military’s long-term force development, addressing regional threats and preserving Israel\u2019s strategic air superiority.<\/p>\n
“Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to \u200csecure the IDF\u2019s military edge ten \u2060years from now and beyond,” said ministry director general Amir Baram, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n
The recent war with Iran “reinforced just how critical the U.S.-Israel \u2060strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains,” he added.<\/p>\n
Under the deal, Israel would buy a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing.<\/p>\n
In December, Boeing \u200bwas given \u200ban $8.6 billion contract for Israel including 25 new \u200bF-15IAs and an option for 25 more.<\/p>\n
Baram \u200csaid the next step would be to move forward with finalizing the agreements with the U.S. government and military counterparts.<\/p>\n
The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, but a ceasefire has been in place since April 8. The U.S. Navy maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.<\/p>\n
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Iranian conflict demonstrated the air force’s power and its decisive role in protecting Israel.<\/p>\n
“The \u200clessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward \u200bon force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to \u200bcome,” he said.<\/p>\n
Israeli aircraft have also attacked \u200bIranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, since the October \u200c7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.<\/p>\n
Katz said \u200bthe new aircraft would lead \u200bto a significant technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defence systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance in space.<\/p>\n
“Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, \u200bcapabilities, and strength to operate anywhere, \u200cat any time,” Katz said. “We will continue to invest, to grow stronger, and to \u200bstay ahead of our enemies – to keep Israel secure today and in the future.”<\/p>\n
($1 = \u200b2.9384 shekels)<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Steven Scheer, Editing by William Maclean)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n