Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled plans to buy two squadrons of advanced fighter aircraft, while also promising to invest billions to strengthen Israel’s domestic defense industry and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
In a statement emphasizing both deterrence and self-reliance, Netanyahu said Israel was purchasing F-35 and F-15IA aircraft. “Our pilots can reach anywhere in Iran’s skies, and they are ready to do so if necessary,” he declared.
The Prime Minister highlighted a strategic shift towards greater independence in arms production. “I have directed to invest in self-production capacity of weapons,” he said. Over the next decade, Israel will invest an additional 350 billion shekels in the defense budget, specifically to produce key systems domestically.
Netanyahu further said that Israel would also develop next-generation aircraft, calling them “blue and white products” – a reference to Israel’s indigenous technology. “This will change the whole picture,” he stressed.
On the growing threat from drones, Netanyahu said he had ordered the creation of a dedicated ‘counter-drone’ project a few weeks ago. He is going to get a progress report on this initiative today. The Prime Minister said, “It will take time, but we are working on it.”
The announcements come as Israel faces complex regional security challenges, including long-running tensions with Iran and the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by opposition groups. This combination of immediate purchases of US-made advanced jets and heavy investment in Israeli-made capabilities underpins a dual strategy: strengthening the immediate deterrent as well as building long-term strategic autonomy.