The Israeli occupation has signed a $3 billion agreement with the United States to acquire a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets, the Israeli security ministry announced Tuesday.

The $3 billion deal is financed by US military aid to "Israel", the ministry said, specifically by the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

The agreement includes the procurement of 25 additional F-35 jets, bringing the total number of these advanced aircraft in the Israeli occupation's air force to 75. The acquisition is formalized through a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) signed by the Israeli mission to the United States.

Deliveries of the new jets are scheduled to commence in 2028, with an expected delivery rate of three to five aircraft per year. 

The Israeli occupation Security Ministry made the request to purchase the 25 Lockheed-made F-35 fighter jets from the United States back in September.

In a statement, the Israeli Ministry said it has launched the process of procuring a third squadron of F-35 aircraft.

It added that following the approval of the deal by Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant and Security Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir, its procurement department sent a formal request to the F-35 Joint Program Office in the US with a view to finalizing the approval and signing the deal in the coming months.

The statement highlighted that after the deal, which includes support and maintenance, the number of F-35 jets belonging to the Israeli occupation forces will rise to 75.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a multirole stealth fighter jet designed to perform a wide variety of missions. Known for its advanced stealth capabilities, the F-35 can evade radar detection, making it highly effective in combat scenarios.

The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. It comes in three variants: the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carrier operations.