Israel Buys More F-35s

Israel will purchase 14 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighters at an average cost of $110 million per aircraft, the country's Ministry of Defense announced in a Feb. 23 press statement.

The deal brings the country's total order for the Lockheed Martin-built jet to 33, and includes an option for 17 more aircraft, according to the statement.

Israel was the first country to join the F-35 program as a foreign military sales customer, with an initial order for 19 aircraft placed in 2010.

This latest deal with the United States was formalized last November, the MOD said.

Israel's first two F-35As are being assembled as part of low-rate initial production Lot 8 and are due for delivery in late 2016.