Morocco's F-35 fighter jet deal gains momentum with Israeli approval
The possibility of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR) acquiring F-35A fighter jets is once again gaining momentum. A specialized English-language defense outlet reported on Wednesday, June 11, that Israel has given the green light for the acquisition of 32 aircraft, a key step given Israel's influence in facilitating the sale of this advanced jet to Arab countries. The deal is estimated to cost around $17 billion over a 45-year period.
Sources present at the IDEX (Abu Dhabi International Defense Exhibition) in February indicated that the return of Donald Trump to the White House could finally unlock the long-pending F-35 deal, which was first initiated during his previous term. In 2020, as part of the normalization agreement with Israel, Morocco was expected to obtain the F-35s—similar to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
During the latest IDEX edition, Lockheed Martin representatives reportedly presented the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter jet to a Moroccan military delegation, the same source noted.
Meanwhile, Algeria has formalized its first order of the Russian fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57, signaling increasing regional interest in next-generation military aircraft.
In a related development, Trump announced in March the development of a new fighter jet, which he referred to as the F-47.
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