In September 2016, the US announced an aid deal that would give the Israeli military $38 billion from 2019 to 2028. / Photo: AFP
“The new agreement will ensure the continuation of cooperation between American companies and Israeli defence industries in the production of aircraft parts,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.The ministry said that the aircraft will be financed through American military aid to Israel and that the maker of the plane, Lockheed Martin, and the maker of its engine, Pratt & Whitney, had committed to involving Israeli companies in the production process.
The F-35 is the world’s most advanced fighter jet, and Israel is the only country in the Middle East to fly them. Israel, which considers Iran its greatest enemy, has previously used F-35 jets to shoot down Iranian drones, and has threatened to carry out a long-range strike on Iranian nuclear targets.