Netanyahu Plans $120 Billion Investment to Build Israeli Stealth Fighter Jet Within a Decade

In a rare interview on Dr. Gadi Taub's podcast "Shomer HaSaf," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a bold strategic vision aimed at drastically reducing Israel's reliance on American military supplies. Netanyahu announced plans to invest between 300 and 400 billion shekels (approximately $90 to $120 billion) over the next decade to develop local defense industries. The centerpiece of this initiative is the creation of an indigenous stealth fighter jet, including an unmanned future aircraft, to ensure Israel's complete operational freedom without fear of embargoes or international pressure.

Netanyahu emphasized the necessity of achieving "defense independence" to safeguard Israel's status as a fully autonomous regional power. He stated, "I want to establish here within a decade, our own plane, a stealth plane, unmanned, the plane of the future, because we can never know if the important platforms we currently receive from abroad will be withheld from us."

This announcement comes amid a global race to develop sixth-generation fighter jets. The United States is advancing the F-47 and F/A-XX programs, while the UK, Italy, and Japan collaborate on the GCAP expected by the mid-2030s. France, Germany, and Spain are working on the NGF under the FCAS program. Russia continues to develop the Su-57 and next-generation capabilities, China is enhancing its J-20 stealth fighters alongside future projects, India is progressing with the AMCA stealth multirole fighter, and Turkey is developing the KAAN to become the backbone of its air force.

Netanyahu's vision marks a significant shift in Israel's defense policy, aiming to secure technological and operational sovereignty in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.