US Vice Admiral Mat Winter discusses importance of F-35 program to Israel. (Youtube/Screenshot)

US Vice Admiral Mat Winter, director of the F-35 program in Israel, reaffirmed the importance of security cooperation to the broader US-Israel relationship.

An Israeli delegation visiting the US completed the procurement of another 17 F-35 “Adir” Joint Strike Fighters (JSF), bringing the total order to 50, the equivalent of two Israel Air Force (IAF) squadrons.

Vice Admiral Matt Winter visited Israel to tour Israeli Air Force facilities and industry locations relevant to the program and reaffirmed the importance of security cooperation to the US- Israel relationship.

The F-35 is the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, estimated to cost nearly $400 billion. Each plane is worth an average of $110 million. The IAF intends to make the jets operational within a year. By building up its F-35 squadrons, the IAF is ensuring its edge over enemies in the region for years to come.