Israel acquires 25 fighter planes from the USA
Following Biden's warning that he would halt arms deliveries to Israel if it attacked Rafah, the two countries have now sealed a deal. As per the agreement, Israel will receive 25 stealth fighter jets from the US. Israeli Defense Minister Galant underscored the symbolic importance of the accord.
Israel has decided to buy an extra 25 F-35 (Adir) combat planes from the United States. The Israeli Defense Ministry declared a similar agreement had been inked with the US administration.
This would imply the third squadron of these stealth planes from Lockheed Martin, which will be incorporated into the Israeli armed forces. As a result, the Israeli Air Force would possess more than 75 of these stealth planes. The delivery to Israel starts in 2028, with a supply rate of three to five jets per year. The cost is projected at nearly three billion dollars (approximately 2.8 billion euros).
Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant remarked that the delivery of the third squadron reflects "the robustness of the strategic partnership between Israel and the United States." The aircraft's capabilities would have a significant influence on both immediate and distant arenas. Galant referred to it as "a strong message to our enemies throughout the region."
Use of US weapons "in compliance with international law"
Amid the severe devastation in Gaza, there have been regular demonstrations against armaments supply to Israel, including in Germany. The Netherlands are forbidden to send replacement parts for the F-35 fighter aircraft to Israel due to a court verdict. US President Joe Biden had cautioned Israel over the past month that he might suspend the supply of certain US weapons if its army attacked populated zones in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Since the inception of the Gaza conflict as a reaction to the assault by terrorists from Hamas and other groups on Israel on October 7th, the Israeli military has been relying heavily on US weapons, according to the American online media outlet "Axios." If the conflict with Hezbollah militia in Lebanon were to intensify, this trend would escalate even more.
US arms shipments to Israel are also coming under heightened scrutiny in the US. Galant reassured the US government in a letter that he would use their weapons exclusively in accordance with international law.
