Israel launches procurement of third operational F-35 squadron

Israel has begun the formal process of acquiring a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir combat aircraft, with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) announcing governmental approval for the buy on 3 September.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) already fields the F-35I (a national-specific version of the F-35A) with 140 Squadron ‘Golden Eagle’ and 116 Squadron ‘Defenders of the South’ squadrons at Nevatim Air Base (also known as 28 Air Base) in southern Israel’s Negev Desert (117 Squadron is the type’s training unit). A third, as yet unnamed, unit is to be stood up using an additional 25 aircraft to the 50 already ordered. The IAF has not disclosed its basing plans for the third F-35I squadron.