The Israeli government approved the purchase of fifty additional F-16s specially modified for the Israel Air Force. A formal contract remains to be negotiated. Deliveries, which are expected to begin in 2006, will extend the life of the F-16 production line though the end of 2009 when deliveries conclude. This purchase, valued at $2 billion, follows an order for fifty aircraft placed in mid-1999. To date, Israel has placed six different orders for the F-16 for a total of 360 aircraft.