Posted on 04/20/2010 4:44:02 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Israel is mulling the purchase of more Boeing F-15Is or Lockheed Martin F-16Is to fill the operational gap caused by the growing delays -- and soaring price tag -- of the ill-starred F-35 stealth fighter the air force wants to buy. Jane's Defense Weekly reported the Israeli air force is considering the acquisition of one squadron -- 18-24 aircraft -- if the delay in developing the F-35, also known as the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, is prolonged.
Alternatively, if the delays become too problematical, the IAF may postpone its procurement program and retain aircraft such as the F-16A, which it had planned to phase out once it received the initial batch of F-35s.
"Once we hear exactly what is happening with the program we'll be able to make a decision about what our procurement plans will be," Jane's quoted a senior defense official as saying.
The Pentagon announced March 11 that the F-35 program was a year-and-a-half behind schedule and would not be ready for operational deployment until 2015 instead of 2013.
(Excerpt) Read more at spacewar.com ...
I doubt the Obama Admin will sell them any.
I agree
I was about to post the man child will throw a tantrum and admin will find some way to not sell them any.....
If that's the case, the IDF/AF would not receive any more U.S. built jets.
F-16 ping.
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