Defense officials in Bolivia are exploring a potential procurement opportunity for Embraer A029 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.

If the governments move forward with the buy, the planes will be used for cracking down on illegal activity around the countries' shared border. Brazil's defense ministry says Bolivia formerly expressed interest during a meeting to deepen bilateral relations between the two nations.

"Bolivia is a country with which we have an excellent relationship. Cooperation is important for the security of borders," Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said in a press release.

The meeting focused on pending trade agreements and border security. Jungmann invited his Bolivian counterpart to meet at the Super Tucano unit facility in Sao Paulo.

The Embraer A-29 Super Tucano is a light attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency missions. The planes, used by the Brazilian air force, are equipped with a Missile Approach Warning System and tactical communications equipment. It can also be used for training purposes.

Israel to buy 17 additional F-35 fighters
Jerusalem (UPI) Nov 28, 2016 - The government of Israel has approved the purchase of 17 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

The approval, announced in a statement by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will bring the total number of Israeli-owned F-35 jets to 50. Officials have not yet specified the cost of the package.

Israel entered the F-35 program in October 2010, and became the first country to select the fifth-generation aircraft through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program.

The Israeli Air Force received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016. The country hopes to use the aircraft to replace its aging fleet of F-15s and F-16s.

F-35 deals have poured over $778 million into Israel's defense industry, and has involved 6 of the country's own contractors.

Netanyahu's announcement comes as Israeli forces commence airstrikes against the Islamic State, radical Sunni militants based in Iraq and Syria. Four militants were declared dead after Israeli forces responded to gunfire in Golan Heights.