Chief Executive of the Lockheed Martin Corp Robert J. Stevens lobbied Israel to purchase a fleet of 5th-generation F-35 warplanes during a visit to the Jewish state, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
Stevens told the daily on Sunday that Israel was currently in talks over a possible purchase of 25 F-35s, with an option to eventually buy more.
The discussions were "very lengthy," and there had been "no commitment to buy yet" on Israel's part, he said.
The F-35, also known as Joint Strike Fighter, is slated to begin to replace the F-16 fighter jets over the next five years.
With its reported firepower, stealth, and cutting edge technologies, the jet is described by U.S.-based Lockheed Martin as the most "lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many war fighters across the globe."
At a press conference at Tel Aviv, Stevens said there were plenty of opportunities for Israeli defense corporations, which he described as having the "best technology and best prices," to help tailor the F-35 for specific Israeli requirements, as was done previously for the F-16s.
"There are no better security ties than between the United States and Israeli governments," he said.
Israel's last major order of American warplanes was for 102 of the custom-built Lockheed F-16I jets. According to Stevens, the last four of that batch are due to arrive in Israel in January, Stevens said.
Source: Xinhua
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