Israel Asks to Buy F-35s (Pentagon)

Israel has asked to buy up to 75 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in a deal worth as much as $15.2 billion if all options are exercised, the Pentagon said Sept. 30.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale initially would be for 25 fighters designed for conventional take off and landing.

But Israel would have the option of buying another 50 of the aircraft, either designed for conventional take off and landing or for short take off and vertical landing, the agency said.

"The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as 15.2 billion dollars," it said in a statement.

The F-35 is a stealthy new multi-role fighter built by Lockheed Martin that is intended to replace the F-16.

Israeli officials have said they plan to buy 100 fighters over the next decade.

It was unclear how soon delivery of the aircraft might begin.

The DSCA disclosed the proposed sale in a notification to Congress, which has 30 days to raise any objections to the sale. A deal would then have to be concluded with the Israelis.

"It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives," the DSCA said.

"Israel needs these aircraft to augment its present operational inventory and to enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability," it said.