On December 12, 2016, the first two F-35A jet fighters (dubbed “Adir,” in Israel) will land in Israel. This is a major milestone in the long process of accepting the aircraft into IAF service, a process that began in 2008, when Israel first applied for the planes. Two batches have been ordered, totaling 33 planes, and in late November 2016, Israel’s security cabinet authorized another request; this will bring the total number of Israel’s F-35 aircraft to 50 planes.

Israel will pay $5.57 billion for the 33 planes, and this money will come from the security assistance it receives from the US. The sum covers the planes as well as spare parts and simulators.

Reaching full operational capabilities of advanced aircraft is a long process, and even after the arrival of the entire first batch of planes, it will be necessary to install Israeli-made systems on them and train the squadron (whose training began already last year). Indeed, the F-35 will not be fully operational before 2019.

Read the full article at INSS.