Israel is currently the only operator of the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jet in the Middle East (for various reasons, the US has refused to sell its prized F-35 to other countries in the region). Israel was not part of the international coalition that took part in investing and developing the F-35, but it was the first country to select the F-35 through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales process in October 2010. Israel intends to purchase 75 F-35s.