Israel Seeks U.S. Fighter Planes
Media Line News Agency
October 10, 2008
The United States government has approved selling Israel 25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter planes in a deal worth up to $22 billion. The deal could include an option for 50 more aircraft in coming years. Each aircraft costs around $50 million.
If the deal is finalized it will be the first sale of these aircraft to a country outside the U.S. and eight partner nations collaborating on the aircraft. The aircraft, which is not yet in service, was designed to replace a large range of aircraft such as the F-16, a significant component of many air forces around the world.
Israel needs the aircraft in order to enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground defense, whereas the U.S. is interested in assisting Israel´s defense capabilities to maintain its own national interests, the Pentagon´s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. U.S. lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale but a cancellation is unlikely. Israel receives some $2.5 billion in aid, mostly military, from the U.S. every year.
Once Israeli and American defense officials sign the agreement, it will enable the provision of the aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, by 2014. The Israeli military will be involved in installing some electronic components in the planes.
The deal is a matter of concern for the U.S.´s allies in the Middle East who are unhappy about Washington propping up Israel´s defenses. However, the U.S. assured its allies the deal would not upset the balance of power in the region, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Quds.
The F-35 is designed to fly large distances without refueling and to carry various radar devices and weaponry.
Andrew Brooks, an aerospace analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the F-35 would be a "phenomenal capability" for Israel´s air force.
However, Brooks estimated that they would not likely revolutionize the current balance of power in the region, since these planes are not necessarily relevant to Israel´s security needs. "The question is not whether they can beat Egypt or Syria. They´ve always been able to do that. The question is whether it would have made a spot of difference when it came to invading Lebanon, like they did in 2006, and the answer is no," Brooks told The Media Line.
"These wonderful weapons are of no use - as the Americans and [British] are finding - against suicide bombers," he added.
If the deal is finalized it will be the first sale of these aircraft to a country outside the U.S. and eight partner nations collaborating on the aircraft. The aircraft, which is not yet in service, was designed to replace a large range of aircraft such as the F-16, a significant component of many air forces around the world.
Israel needs the aircraft in order to enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground defense, whereas the U.S. is interested in assisting Israel´s defense capabilities to maintain its own national interests, the Pentagon´s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. U.S. lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale but a cancellation is unlikely. Israel receives some $2.5 billion in aid, mostly military, from the U.S. every year.
Once Israeli and American defense officials sign the agreement, it will enable the provision of the aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, by 2014. The Israeli military will be involved in installing some electronic components in the planes.
The deal is a matter of concern for the U.S.´s allies in the Middle East who are unhappy about Washington propping up Israel´s defenses. However, the U.S. assured its allies the deal would not upset the balance of power in the region, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Quds.
The F-35 is designed to fly large distances without refueling and to carry various radar devices and weaponry.
Andrew Brooks, an aerospace analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the F-35 would be a "phenomenal capability" for Israel´s air force.
However, Brooks estimated that they would not likely revolutionize the current balance of power in the region, since these planes are not necessarily relevant to Israel´s security needs. "The question is not whether they can beat Egypt or Syria. They´ve always been able to do that. The question is whether it would have made a spot of difference when it came to invading Lebanon, like they did in 2006, and the answer is no," Brooks told The Media Line.
"These wonderful weapons are of no use - as the Americans and [British] are finding - against suicide bombers," he added.
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