Ramona Adams
A pair of Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter jets have flown to Israel ahead of a reception ceremony that will be held at Nevatim Air Base on Monday, Times of Israel reported Thursday.
Judah Ari Gross writes Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will attend the ceremony alongside Israel’s political and military officials to welcome Israel’s first two F-35 jets.
In November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet approved a proposed buy of an additional 17 F-35s, which will bring the country’s acquisition commitment with the U.S. government to 50 fighter aircraft.
Israel F-35s are named Adir in Israel and will serve as a pillar of the country’s air strategy, Gross reported.
The two aircraft flew from a Lockheed facility in Texas and made stops at Portugal and Italy over the weekend before heading toward Israel, Gross reported.
