Aircraft

No F-35s for Israel before 2014

By Graham Warwick

Reports that Israel could receive Lockheed Martin F-35s as early as 2012 have been dismissed by the Joint Strike Fighter programme office (JPO), which says the earliest that deliveries to the nation could begin is in 2014.

The JPO says it is planning to negotiate a security agreement with Israel "in the near future". This will establish an agreed framework for providing the nation with additional information on the F-35.

"Israel may decide to purchase the JSF via the US government's foreign military sales [FMS] programme," says the JPO. Assuming US Congressional approval, "Israel may be able to achieve JSF aircraft deliveries as early as 2014", it says.

A source says JSF programme partners the UK and Italy have "moved aircraft to the right", making F-35s available for early delivery to FMS customers. Israel is expected to be the first FMS buyer for the F-35, with a requirement for 100 aircraft.