OK granted. Let me go with they are 100% capable of going it alone and would do a fine job of it. He!!, I could most likely count on my fingers the number of countries that don't get aid from us in one way or another.
It works both ways, we aren't throwing money at them and watching it go into a bottomless pit. They have, in the past, done a fine job of coming up with some superb ideas for our upgrading of military aircraft because of their experience with them in the field. Also I work for a 15 Billion/yr company that bought IAI, and believe me they build a fine business aircraft. At least with them it is beneficial in both directions, which is why they are an ally.