US, Israel to tighten defense cooperation
(VOVworld) – US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman signaled their intention to strengthen defense relations at a meeting at the Pentagon on Monday. Carter also reiterated the US’s unwavering commitment to Israel's security. The two officials discussed security challenges in the Middle East and areas of defense cooperation.
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Defense Secretary Ash Carter, right, greets Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the Pentagon, June 20, 2016, before a meeting to discuss the U.S.-Israel defense relationship.
(Photo: US Department of Defense) |
During his US visit, Mister Lieberman will also travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for a ceremony for the first F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to be delivered to Israel, as ordered.
Israel will be the first US partner, as well as the only one in the Middle East, to receive the F-35, which will play a key role in maintaining Israel's military power in the Middle East.
This was Lieberman’s first trip abroad since he became Israeli Defense Minister in late May. The US and Israel are discussing a new defense agreement to replace the current one, whose validity was extended to 2018. The deal allows Israel to receive 3 billion USD in aid each year from the US.