Israel on Wednesday becomes the first nation other than the United States to have an advanced F35 Lightening II fighter jet, which the Israel Air Force will be calling the “Adir”.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman earlier in the week attended the official ceremony at Lockheed Martin as part of his first official visit to the US as Defense Minister.

The first two planes are scheduled to arrive in Israel in about six months and an additional 17 are scheduled to arrive by the end of 2017. The official ceremony of Israel taking possession of the first plane took place on Wednesday 16 Sivan Israel time.

Due to the special relationship enjoyed between Israel and the United States, Israel will be permitted to use its own advanced communications system and make changes in the aircraft’s electronic warfare system.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)