Israel to buy 20 F-35s

Israel signed a $2.75 billion deal to buy 20 F-35s, with delivery between 2015 and 2017. Israel is the first buyer outside the aircraft's nine-nation development group. The agreement was signed after years of talks on aircraft price, Israeli industrial participation and integration of Israeli capabilities on its own F-35 fleet. The cost for the Lockheed Martin jets was put at about $96 million per aircraft. (Sources: Multiple, including Reuters, PRNewswire, 10/08/10) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be home of a Joint Strike Fighter Training Center.