What is F-35?
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| F-35 aircraft flying in the sky |
The F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat and single-engine 5th generation fighter jet which uniquely combines advanced stealth technology with speed, agility, high-level sensing capability, network-centered operations and better logistics and sustainment. This fighter jet will replace most of the currently operational fighter jets of all the three branches of the US armed forces and of the military forces of the allied countries.
The fighter jets which will be replaced by the F-35 in the USA army are as follows: F/A-18 and AV-8B of the US Marine Corps, F/A-18 of the US Navy and F-16 and A-10 of the United States’ Air Force.
Why did Israel want to procure it?
Israel was the first country to induct F-35 fighter Jet in its air battery after the United States of America. The principal aim of this induction was to boost its military superiority in the region. The reasons for the selection of this fighter jet can be listed as follows.
Israel considers the nuclear and missile program of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its economic, military and political support for the Assad regime in the Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon as a constant threat to its sovereignty. This sense of insecurity has further grown in recent years after the arrival of Iranian Al-Quds forces along with Hezbollah and allied militias to fight on behalf of the Assad regime. Assad with the support of Iran and Hezbollah has recently retaken much of the territory from the rebels fighting his government and thus has provided significant operational bases to the Iranian forces in the regime-held areas. Israel military establishment thinks that Iran and Hezbollah can use Syria as a base to open a second front against them in the case of a future war both in land and air warfare.
On the 17th of this March, Israeli jets came under attack from the Russian-provided Syrian anti-aircraft missiles when they were returning from air strikes deep into the Syrian territory. According to experts, the procurement of S300 launchers anti-aircraft missiles by the Assad army from Russia has somewhat hindered the operational freedom of Israeli air force in the Syrian airspace. Thus Israel needed alternatives to bypass the detection capability of Syrian radars, and F-35 was a solution-in-waiting.
Both Israel and Arab countries are flying the F-16 fighter jets. So to maintain air superiority, Israel had two options: go for up gradation of F-16 fighter jets or procure a fully new fighter jet with enhanced capabilities. The latter was a far better option to employ, and hence Israel went for it.
Why did America want to provide Israel with F-35?
The United States Of America considers Israel the most reliable ally and as the bulwark against terrorism and extremism in the region. Both America and Israel are wary of the nuclear program and increasing influence of Iran in the wake of the raging Civil Wars in the Arab countries. Thus America-provided F-35 fighter jets will significantly help Israel in maintaining its air superiority over Iran.
How many F-35 fighter jets have been inducted into Israeli air force so far?
Initially, Israel signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin to procure at least 100 aircraft for its needs, but the contract hit the rocks after some problems in the system design of the fighter jet. Israel almost went on to decline the agreement due to some internal political pressure but eventually became a part of it. In 2016, Israel unveiled its first F-35 aircraft and was announced to be going through some testing before been formally inducted.
It was also declared that till the end of 2021, Israel would have procured a contingent of 33 fighter jets with an option of 17 more on the table. On the 69th independence day of Israel, the F-35 fighter jets for the first time joined the Israeli air force team in the annual flyover and military parade. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, termed the display as a historic moment for the country and a step towards gaining supremacy in every theater of war: be it air, be it water, be it ground or be it the cyber world.
About Muhammad Asim
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