Israel may trim second order of F-35 fighters - newspaper

Reuters ^ | Nov 17, 2014

[sukhoi-30mki]

Israel is likely to place a second order for between 12 and 15 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, around half the number previously mentioned by defence sources in both countries, an Israeli newspaper reported on Monday.

A reduced Israeli purchase may dent international confidence in the Lockheed Martin Corp plane and set back Israeli efforts to get a lower unit price because of advance orders.

Israel bought 19 F-35s for $2.75 billion in 2010, with delivery scheduled between 2016 and 2018. Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, who visited the United States last month, agreed a preliminary deal for 25 to 31 more planes, subject to approval by an Israeli ministerial committee, sources said.

With a decision pending, best-selling daily Yedioth Ahronoth said most of the ministers opposed the scale of Yaalon's order, preferring a smaller purchase of 12 to 15 planes.

Government spokesmen had no immediate comment on the Yedioth report. An Israeli defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was inaccurate, but did not elaborate.

Yedioth cited misgivings about whether the F-35's range, payload and manoeuvrability would suit Israel's needs.

[Yorlik803]

Israel will buy them, look at whats wrong and improve the hell out of them.

[jerod]

The F-35 is a dud, plain and simple. By the time these orders are filled, the fighter most allies like Israel really want will be ready. The F-22 Raptor. Either that, or somebody else will start making an F-22 fighter equivalent and screw over Lockheed/Martin and the US.

[riverdawg]

Here’s an interesting article from a year ago on the “politics” of the export ban on the F-22:

http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2013/12/30/will-japan-get-f-22-raptors-will-need/

[Netz]

Native upgrades in avionics for sure but with all that firepower, the world must let the Israelis have their backs to the wall before they can use it. For now, they can't finish the SOBs off once and for all. Advanced fighter aircraft, best pilots in the world versus a local Arab UN person with a camera. Who comes out on top? The F-15 or the crybaby Paleostinians?