Jerusalem has given its tacit approval of a proposed deal that would see the United Arab Emirates buy advanced F-35 stealth aircraft from the United States. If completed, Abu Dhabi would become only the second country in the Middle East to operate the F-35, apart from Israel.
In a Friday joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Israel would not oppose a US sale of “certain weapon systems” to the UAE, which signed a peace agreement with Israel last month and opened normal diplomatic relations.
According to the release, Gantz reached “understandings” with US military leaders during his visit to the US earlier this week aimed at ensuring Israel maintains that edge.
The aircraft not only sports a host of advanced radar and sensor systems, but is also designed to have a minimal radar signature, making it hard to spot, track and target with radar and missiles.
In August, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) announced its second squadron of F-35I “Adir” fighters, a specially modified version of the standard F-35A jet used by the US Air Force, was combat-ready. According to the Jerusalem Post, the IAF will have 27 F-35Is by November out of a total of 50 it expects to eventually receive.
“Our security and military superiority in the region are the most significant things for us. Our region has still not turned into Switzerland,” Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Israel’s Army Radio on October 11.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
0.00 (0%) 0 votes
