Senior Israeli official: We will have Blue and White aircraft in 10 years

A senior Israeli official announced that Israel aims to produce its own stealth fighter aircraft and unmanned combat aircraft within the next decade to reduce dependence on American aid. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's broader plan to expand Israel's local military-industrial base, currently focused on artillery, missiles, and electronic warfare systems. The official stated, "I can envision Israel producing its own stealth fighter aircraft," emphasizing the goal of self-sufficiency if external supplies become uncertain. Israel previously developed the Lavi fighter jet in the 1980s, a project canceled due to budgetary and political factors, including U.S. pressure. The new plan includes developing Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) with advanced AI, designed to operate alongside manned jets as force multipliers, similar to the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.