F-35 Zombie Shuffle... Israel slashes its order.

"Could amount" does not mean "will amount".
Israel, one of the JSF's staunchest supporters since its inception, has drastically reduced its F-35 order.  Instead of an initial order for 31 stealth fighters, the Israeli government has only approved funding for 14.  This is thanks to the fact that the F-35 simply is not ready yet.  Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz had this to say:

“Since the plane is not yet operational in the US, I suggested that we make do with the purchase of less than half the amount, and wait with decisions on purchasing additional jets, as several other countries – like Australia, Italy, Canada and Holland – have done.”
It seems as though everybody wants a piece of the JSF's industrial benefits, but at the same time is having cold feet when it comes to actually purchasing the aircraft in sufficient amounts.

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