Israel’s first F-35 at its roll-out ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas in June 2016. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

JNS.org – Israel will receive two additional F-35 “Adir” stealth fighter jets before the end of August, adding to the current fleet of five F-35s being tested by the Israeli Air Force.

Following the upcoming August delivery, two more of the stealth jets will be delivered to the Jewish state in October.

Israel has agreed to purchase 52 of the F-35 jets from the US and was the first foreign country permitted to acquire the planes, at a cost of roughly $100 million each. The defense industries in both countries cooperated in the production and development of the F-35. Israel Aerospace Industries produces wings for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A jets and Israel’s Elbit Systems produces cutting-edge helmets for the planes, giving pilots the benefit of 360-degree views through cockpits.

The F-35s are widely viewed as the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft and have the capability to counter the most sophisticated air defense systems, such as the Russian S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missiles.