The Israel Air Force will receive its first F-35 fighter jets in the second half of 2016, a Lockheed Martin official said. Israel has ordered 19 F-35s, for a total cost of $2.75 billion, and has the option to purchase a total of 75 F-35s. Once these advanced stealth aircraft arrive in Israel, they will become the IAF's spearhead, capable of conducting strategic long-range operations and remaining undetected by enemy radar systems. The F-35 features touchscreen displays in the cockpit and is referred to by pilots as "the iPad-generation aircraft." Elbit Systems has designed a helmet for F-35 pilots to use and Israel Aerospace Industries will produce wings for the aircraft. Currently, the IAF fighter jet fleet consists of F-15s and F-16s.
