(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Max B. Baker - Lockheed Martin Aeronautics on Wednesday rolled out its first F-35 bound for Israel where the stealth fighter is known as "Adir," Hebrew for mighty. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the fighter jet will "dramatically enhance" his country's ability to defend itself against security threats both "conventional and unconventional." "This yet again emphasizes the U.S. commitment to maintaining Israel's military superiority and Israel's security." Israel's air force, which will be the first to have the F-35 outside the U.S., is to buy 33 Lightning IIs and has an option to buy 17 more. The aircraft shown Wednesday will undergo additional testing and actually be delivered in December. Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute in Washington, said Israel's purchase of the F-35 means it "will be the dominant air power in the Middle East for the foreseeable future." Wednesday's rollout ceremony was broadcast live on Israeli television.
2016-06-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive