Israel received the first two F-35 fighter jets from the United States Monday evening.
The new F-35 planes, reportedly worth $100 million each, are the first of 50 and sought after by Israel for their stealth technology. The planes had been scheduled to arrive from Italy earlier in the day but the weather kept them grounded.
In a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the jets would increase Israel's already considerable military might. "The F-35s and their pilots will be able to act in any arena – more and less near. I am called, almost on a daily basis, to approve missions by Israel's long arm, and every day I and all citizens of Israel put our trust in you, Israel's pilots,” Netanyahu said.