Israel on Monday became the first nation after the US to take possession of F–35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.

Two of the planes landed at Nevatim Air Force Base in southern Israel.

Already adorned with the Star of David, the planes are now officially part of the Israel Air Force.

The welcome ceremony was attended and addressed by Israel’s top political and military leadership, as well as by US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

Israel Air Force engineers will now pore over the planes, and Israeli-developed systems will be added. Then Israeli pilots will take the F–35s to the skies and the Jewish state’s qualitative edge over its enemies will increase.