Israel Will Be First Partner Nation To Fly F-35s

Though late to sign on to the network of nations purchasing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Israel will be the first partner nation to operate the fifth-generation fighter.

“Israel will become the first non-U.S. operator of the F-35 in the world,” said Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for F-35 program integration and business development in an interview at the Paris air show. The first F-35I combat squadron is expected to achieve initial operational capability in 2018.

Eight other countries have already committed to the program with firm contracts.

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