An F-35 stealth jet on a test flight. Photo: Wikipedia.

Israel recently announced the purchase of a second squadron of F-35 multipurpose fighter planes from the United States. The news follows reports that an earlier sale of 19 new F-35s is moving ahead.

Israel Aerospace Industries will be assembling the wings of the new fighter, which will also include Israeli-made components. The assembly line for the F-35 parts manufactured in Israel is expected to be inaugurated this week.

Other deals, such as the continued joint development of the David’s Sling and Arrow missile intercept systems, were also reached. The deals were discussed and agreed to by Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya’alon and his American counterpart Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel when they met in Washington last week.

Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems also announced a deal to supply the Canadian Armed Forces with mobile satellite communication systems. The systems being sold are exclusive, as they have the ability to connect to the U.S. Defense Department satellite network.

Despite recent derogatory comments made by unnamed American officials about Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, the deals point to a strong working relationship, and continued alliance, between the Unites States and the State of Israel.