Posted on 11/20/2018 2:27:24 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
As The State of Israel celebrates its 70th year of independence, some key elements of its history lives on in various and exotic parts of the World. Israel, well known for its technological prowess is considered an innovative high tech superpower. One of Israel’s most famous developments of the 1970s was its “Kfir” fighter jet.
The Kfir was based on plans designed by the IAF for the French company Dassault and then stolen from the French when they imposed an arms embargo on Israel following the 6 Day War.
Israel Aircraft Industries in conjunction with the IAF developed and produced this sleek fighter, naming it “Kfir” (young lion). The Kfir served with the IAF from its first flight in 1975 until 1989.
Israel found considerable success in selling the fighter to various countries around the World, the Kfir was even purchased by the US Marine Corps. to provide an aggressor type threat to train its combat pilots.
Among the countries that purchased the Kfir early on was the Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Colombiana'). In 1988 they purchased 9 Kfir aircraft, in 2010 they upgraded these aircraft and purchased an additional 15 aircraft from Israel Aircraft Industries.
These aircraft were fitted with advanced Israeli technology. The Kfirs were equipped with RAFAEL made Python 5 and Derby air to air missiles as well as RAFAEL’s air to ground Spice 1000 guided glide bomb. Additionally the Colombian Pilots fly with Elbit’s Helmet Mounted Display which is the same helmet used by IAF fighter pilots.
In essence the Colombian Air Force fly Israel’s most advanced weaponry on an Israeli made aircraft.
I was privileged to receive an invite from the Colombian Air Force to fly with these amazing aircraft.
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
Huh?
Those eeeeeevil Jooooooooooooos stole their own technology?
Lots of force on force exercises by the Marines at the Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma.
There was widespread support for Israel in France after the IDF assisted the Anglo-French retaking of the Suez Canal in 1956.
Charles De Gaulle became president of France in 1958 which inaugurated the Fifth Republic. He brought into office a dislike of Israel which was coupled with his postcolonial desire to regain the good graces of the Arab World.
French aeronautical firms continued to supply Israel under the table without De Gaulle’s knowledge or consent. When this was blown into the open by Israel’s victory in 1967 using French built fighters & fighter-bombers, De Gaulle promptly clamped an embargo on all aviation exports to Israel including spare parts.
As a result, the Israelis were forced to accelerate development of their own aviation industry. They became masters of industrial espionage toward this end.
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