Israel to purchase new F-35 squadron from the U.S.

Despite the tension between the two countries, the U.S. and Israel have agreed upon Israel's purchasing additional F-35 aircrafts.

Amid the U.S.'s and Israel's relations crisis and the American's harsh criticism of Netanyahu's statement, the tight security collaboration remains unharmed.  Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon and American Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel concluded that Israel will purchase a second squadron of stealth technology aircraft F-35, during Ya'alon's visit to the U.S. This agreement still requires the government's approval.

Israel has signed the initial agreement, which determines she will receive 19 aircrafts for 2.7 billion dollars of the American assistance funds. The aircraft's name in the Israeli Air Force is "Adir". The manufacturers "Lockheed Martin", claim that in the beginning of 2016 the first team of Israeli pilots is due to arrive and train on the aircraft in the American Air Force base LUCK in Arizona. The first aircrafts are due to arrive in Israel in 2017 for the first time, and the squadron will become operational at the end of the same year.

Despite the tension between the two countries and the American rage toward Netanyahu for declaring he plans to continue building in east Jerusalem, the tight security collaboration between them continues. During his visit to the U.S. last week, Defense Minister Ya'alon decided with American Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel that a second squadron of the advanced stealth technology aircraft is to be purchased by Israel.

There is already a behind-the-scenes conflict taking place in the Israeli Air Force – who will be the lucky pilots to fly the F-35 and be appointed founders of the prestigious squadron? This question lies on the desk of air force commander, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel.