AFP, Jerusalem

Israel yesterday approved a multi-billion-dollar deal to acquire two combat squadrons of fighter jets from the United States, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it would “reinforce” its air superiority.

The purchase includes a squadron of F-35 multi-role stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin and another of F-15IA warplanes from Boeing, Israel’s defence ministry said.

The plan aims to “ensure Israel’s air superiority for decades to come,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

“The F-35 and F-15IA acquisitions are central to the ‘Shield of Israel’ plan, which is designed to give the IDF (Israeli military) a lasting qualitative edge,” he said.

The F-35, a joint project between the United States and a number of allies, is one of the world’s most advanced military aircraft. Israel already operates several dozen of the jets.

Netanyahu said it would bolster Israel’s “overwhelming air superiority” but pledged to start building its own weapons and fighter planes.

“Our pilots can reach anywhere in the skies of Iran and are ready to do so, if needed,” he said.

“Over the next decade we will add $118 billion to the defence budget in order to manufacture such weaponry in Israel and not be dependent on foreign suppliers,” he said.

“At the same time, we will develop ‘blue-and-white’ groundbreaking aircraft. This will change the entire picture,” he said, using a term for products developed in Israel.