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Reuters Nir Elias
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has expressed his desire to buy a third squadron of US “F-35” fighters from Tel Aviv, and hoped that the deal could be completed before the end of President Donald Trump’s term.
“Without a doubt, we need to expand the F-35 systems. At the moment we have two squadrons of the F-35. I think we will expand that. That’s what I asked the Americans,” Gantz told Y-Net TV on Monday .
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He added: “I would like to buy another squad of F-35s and then discuss what to do (next). Will we continue to buy more F-35s or will we switch to F-15s?”
Gantz did not specify how many F-35s would be proposed for the new squad. Defense officials said the two squadrons already in Israel include 50 planes.
When asked if Israel will conclude a defense purchase agreement with the United States before Trump’s term ends, Gantz said: “I hope so. I think the defense budget needs to be managed properly.”
Israel has been in talks with Washington about how to maintain its military supremacy after the Trump administration approved a possible deal to sell F-35 fighters to the United Arab Emirates last year. Previously, these aircraft were only available to Israel in the region.
The F-35 is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while Boeing manufactures the F-15.
Source: “Reuters”
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