The F-35 is slated to begin to replace the world's F-16 fighter jets over the next five years.
By YAAKOV LAPPINf-35 really cool 224 88(photo credit: Courtesy)
The chairman of the Maryland-based Lockheed Martin defense contractor, Robert J. Stevens, used a visit to Israel on Sunday to quietly urge the government to purchase a fleet of fifth-generation F-35 warplanes, also known as Joint Strike Fighters.
The F-35 is slated to begin to replace the world's F-16 fighter jets over the next five years. With its reported firepower, stealth, and cutting edge technologies, the jet is described by Lockheed as the most "lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many warfighters across the globe."
Stevens told The Jerusalem Post that Israel was currently in talks over a possible purchase of 25 F-35s, with an option to eventually buy more. The discussions were "very lengthy," and there had been "no commitment to buy yet" on Israel's part, he said.
At a press conference at Tel Aviv's Hilton Hotel, Stevens said there were plenty of opportunities for Israeli defense corporations, which he described as having the "best technology and best prices," to help tailor the F-35 for specific Israeli requirements, as was done previously for the F-16s.
When asked about the prospects of Lockheed delivering fighter jets to Iraq, Stevens stressed that Lockheed's role was limited to delivering military hardware to states that had reached arms agreement with the US.
"There are no better security ties than between the US and Israeli governments," he said.
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