Posted on 09/30/2008 12:19:15 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
UPDATE 1-Israel to buy $15.2 bln in Lockheed fighters
By Andrea Shalal-Esa
WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Tuesday said it approved the sale to Israel of 25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and an option for 50 more in coming years -- a deal valued at up to $15.2 billion.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees major arms sales, said the deal is vital to U.S. national security interests to assist Israel as it develops and maintains "a strong and ready self-defense capability."
Israel needs the aircraft to enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground defense, the agency said.
The DSCA notified Congress about the proposed arms sale before lawmakers head back to their districts for the November election. Lawmakers now have 30 days to block the sales, but such action is rare, since the agreements are usually carefully vetted beforehand.
The Pentagon agency said Israel wants to buy an initial 25 F-35s in the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) configuration, with an option to buy an additional 50 F-35 CTOL or Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft.
All aircraft would be equipped with either the F-135 engines built by Pratt and Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), or the F-136 engine being developed by General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Britain's Rolls-Royce Plc (RR.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).
Lockheed Martin said it welcomes the decision. "As the first potential foreign military sale of the F-35, this would be an important first step in expanding interest in the Joint Strike Fighter beyond the U.S. government and eight international F-35 partner nations," said Lockheed spokesman Tom Jurkowsky.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
DSCA Notification-
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2008/Israel_08-83.pdf
Of course the Saudis will want some, too............
“Buy” in quotes, since they will be using US Aid to purchase them.
whats the total of US military aid to Israel? I suspect its
not anywhere near what they spend here.
In August 2007, the Bush Administration announced that it would increase U.S. military assistance to Israel by $6 billion over the next decade. For FY2008, Israel is receiving $2.4 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF). The agreement calls for incremental annual increases in FMF to Israel, reaching $3.1 billion a year by FY2018.
There are indeed. IDF buys US or within Israel. I can’t
think of a platform they operate that isn’t US sources or
made in Israel.
It’s aid “to” Lockheed.
The military “aid” to Israel, Egypt and Jordan is corporate welfare. Always was, and the military industries were always the ones to push it.
Their entire submarine fleet is German (3 existing boats+2 in construction). And a few French anti-sub helos which will be retired soon.
Threads such as this have rules.
May God protect Israel from the harm of the enemy.
Ah yes the subs. I belive that those are partially funded
by Germany. As for the Super-Frelons, I had thought those
were long since retired along with the Mirages, the Centurions, and the Noratlas..
Nope-the Eurocopter Dauphins.
I'm okay with only 99%.
ping.
Not directly NavAir related, but does affect the viability of the F-35 in general.
Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
Sadly, this will now insure that our F-35 technology will be laundered and transfered to China.
Israel has a track record of “helping” the Chinese develop new fighter aerospace technology.
Great move DOD and George Bush!!!
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