Factory for F-35 wings inaugurated in Israel

Israel Aerospace Industries has officially inaugurated its production line for wings for Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

The production line actually began manufacturing its first pair of wings for the aircraft in September and is scheduled to produce four wings each month, according to an Israeli Air Force announcement on Thursday.

"Our dream is becoming reality today as the first wing is already in process of production", said Ya'akov Roseman, the "Lahav" factory manager. "We are proud for our contribution to the state of Israel and to the other countries participating in the project."

Added IAI Chairman Rafi Maor at an inauguration ceremony earlier this week: "This project is of great importance for IAI and the state of Israel. We cooperate with Lockheed Martin in producing the wings for the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world and for this purpose we will use new technologies that have never been used in Israel before."

IAI is on contract with Lockheed Martin to manufacture 20 pairs of F-35 wings. Under a memorandum of understanding, production will increase to a total of 811 wings.

Lockheed Martin's F-35 is slated to enter service with the Israeli Air Force in 2017.