Israel, U.S. finalize 10 bln USD arms deal

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon announced Monday that they reached an agreement over arms deal worth 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Under the deal, Israel will buy various new weapons, including U.S. missiles and advanced radar system for fighter planes.

Speaking at a joint press conference held at the military headquarters base in Tel Aviv, Hagel said the new military equipment would retain the Israeli Air Force's edge over other countries in the region.

The recently appointed U.S. secretary of defense arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit in the region. Hagel is set to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during his regional tour.

Hagel told foreign reporters on the plane to Tel Aviv that the arms deal sends a "strong message to Iran."