BICOM

Israel has received its first American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets in a ceremony attended by senior Israeli and American leaders.

Israel has ordered a fleet of 50 F-35s, each one estimated to cost £79m, becoming the first country other than the US to deploy the state-of-the-art aircraft. Yesterday, the first two F-35s flew into the Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, where a high-profile welcome ceremony was delayed owing to severe fog near the Italian air base from where they departed.

The ceremony was attended by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter plus military officials.

Netanyahu declared that thanks to the F-35s “our long arm has now become longer and mightier”. The F-35 is known in Hebrew as “Adir” meaning “mighty.”

The F-35’s stealth capabilities mean that Israel’s Air Force can reach targets more accurately and directly than previously. Speaking to Reuters, Nimrod Shefer, a retired Israel Air Force major-general, welcomed the addition of the F-35s.

He said: “[There are] very low to very high-altitude missiles… and targets that are becoming more and more difficult to detect and to destroy.”

Netanyahu thanked Carter for his attendance, calling it “a sign of your personal commitment to Israel’s security on many fronts”. On behalf of Israel, Netanyahu also thanked the Obama administration.

He added: “Israel is your best and most reliable ally in the Middle East—in my opinion beyond the Middle East.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Carter noted that Israel’s Air Force has come a long way since flying “leftover World War II aircraft” in its early days, and that the F-35s are critical in maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. He assured the audience that “we’re more committed to Israel’s security today than ever before”.

Carter is expected to hold working meetings with his Israeli counterpart Lieberman and other Israeli officials during his visit.