Israel gets high-tech fighter jets after fog delay

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel received the first two F-35 fighter jets from the United States Monday evening after their arrival was delayed by fog.

The new F-35 planes, reportedly worth $100 million each, are the first of 50 and sought after by Israel for their stealth technology.

The planes had been scheduled to arrive from Italy earlier in the day but the weather kept them grounded.

In a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the jets would increase Israel's already considerable military might.

"The F-35s and their pilots will be able to act in any arena – more and less near. I am called, almost on a daily basis, to approve missions by Israel's long arm, and every day I and all citizens of Israel put our trust in you, Israel's pilots,” Netanyahu said.

“Today, I would like to tell the people of Israel that this long arm just became a little longer, and more powerful," he said.

"It is no coincidence that Israel is the first to receive these planes – after the U.S. itself. I think that this symbolizes the very significant character of the strength of the alliance between us and the U.S.," the Israeli premier said.

Israel has placed three orders for the fighter jets despite earlier debate over the need for such expensive additions to the air force.

"The debate was moot from its first day. The reason is simple. Aircraft age, and the IAF (Israeli Air Force) must renew its fighter aircraft regularly,” wrote Yiftah Shapir, an Israeli security expert at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies.

“Israel received its first F-15s in 1977, and these planes have now flown for nearly 40 years. Even the first F-16Is (Sufa) have been in service for 12 years," he said, adding that Israel can only buy U.S. jets because they are bought with American military aid.

In September, Israel reached a 10-year, $38 billion arms deal with the U.S., which includes $33 billion in foreign military financing funds and a $5 billion commitment in missile defense assistance.