“Message to our enemies”
Israel buys 25 fighter jets from the USA
04.06.2024, 20:31
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After Biden threatened to suspend arms deliveries to Israel in the event of a Rafah offensive, the two countries have now signed a deal. 25 stealth jets are to be delivered to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Galant emphasizes the symbolic effect of the agreement.
Israel has agreed with the USA to purchase 25 additional F-35 (Adir) fighter jets. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that a corresponding agreement had been signed with the US government.
This is the third squadron of fighter jets of this type from the manufacturer Lockheed Martin to be integrated into the Israeli armed forces. This will give the Israeli Air Force 75 of these stealth jets. Delivery to Israel is scheduled to begin in 2028, with a delivery rate of three to five fighter jets per year. The cost is around three billion dollars (around 2.8 billion euros).
Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant said the delivery of the third squadron demonstrates “the strength of the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States.” The capabilities of the fighter jets would have “a decisive impact in arenas near and far.” Galant spoke of a “strong message to our enemies throughout the region.”
Use of US weapons “only in accordance with international law”
In view of the severe destruction in the Gaza Strip, there have recently been more frequent international protests against arms deliveries to Israel, including in Germany. Following a court ruling, the Netherlands is no longer allowed to export spare parts for the F-35 fighter jet to Israel. US President Joe Biden threatened Israel last month that he would suspend the delivery of some US weapons if Israel’s army entered densely populated urban centers in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Since the start of the Gaza war in response to the attack on Israel by terrorists from Hamas and other groups on October 7, the Israeli armed forces have become increasingly dependent on US weapons, the US news portal “Axios” reported. This would be even more the case if the conflict with the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon were to escalate, it said.
However, US arms deliveries to Israel are also being increasingly questioned in the US. In a letter to the US government, Galant committed himself to using US weapons only in accordance with international law.