Israel submits LOR for F-35

Israel orders 1st stealth F-35 squadron

Israel moved a step closer to receiving its first stealth fighter jets this week after the Israel Air Force submitted an official Letter of Request (LOR) to the Pentagon to purchase its first squadron of 25 F-35 stealth fighter jets.

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Defense officials said that while the LOR was submitted this week, negotiations regarding the final price of the plane – estimated at around $100 million – as well as the integration of Israeli systems would continue.

The LOR will be followed by the signing of a contract in the beginning of 2010. The first aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Israel in 2014.

nothing’s official till the signatures are on the dotted line, but it looks like they’re close enough for the Israeli order to continue moving forward

2014 is also going to be a fairly early block, guess the Israelis are eager to go ahead and get them

wonder how long it will be till any of the other countries in the region (besides turkey) get it?