The Associated Press reports that “U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was visiting Israel as it prepared to receive on Monday the first two next-generation F-35 fighter jets that will help preserve the country’s military edge in the volatile Mideast.”

“The F-35 is the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, with an estimated cost of nearly $400 billion. Israel is among a small number of allies to get the plane, with the first expected later in the day.”

“Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the fighter jets “present another component in maintaining air superiority in our region” and expressed gratitude to Carter, who was welcomed with a military honor guard at a Tel Aviv army base.”