Israel negotiates purchase of 100 F-35 fighter jets in $5 billion deal

air-attack.com ^

[MARKUSPRIME]

FORT WORTH, Texas- Israel Air Force is considering ordering 100 of Lockheed Martins' F-35 fighter jets at a cost of some 5 billion dollars to be delivered as of 2014.

In recent months, senior IAF officers and defense ministry officials have visited the U.S. in order to sign an advanced deal which would allow the aircraft to be with fitted with electronic and communication systems according to their specific requirements.

Sources report negotiations have been progressing despite the troubled relationship between the American and Israel defense industries which has been on edge since U.S. opposition caused the cancellation of a deal Israel signed to deliver China with four surveillance aircraft last year.

The F-35 project, funded jointly by the U.S., Canada and the U.K., is still in the developmental stage and is scheduled to fly for the first time in late 2006.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Good news,just dont share it with the chicoms...

[ASA Vet]

F-35JSF movie

[MARKUSPRIME]

Here is a better one. It shows the US and UK testing the 3 variants.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4742849525846050256&q=F-22+videos&hl=en

[raidertx]

We are going to let Turkey and Japan have them, I guess Israel just doesn't want to get left behind.

[Youngman442002]

Unfortunately I don't think Israel will be around in 2014.....our elections just sealed that deal...the Muslims are emboldened...and the democrats will cut their funding to Israel...even though most Jews vote Democratic....I have never figured that one out....and Iran with a nuke or nukes......see ya

[Neidermeyer]

While I applaud the sale I don't understand why Israel can't do with cheaper birds ... Israel has REAL PILOTS while their enemies have all the rich boys buying places in their Air Forces, they have no real oposition in the air ... quite simply Israel could be flying reconditioned F14/15/16/18 and get much more bang for the buck... The old F-20 was a great aircraft although it didn't sell well , very low maintenance...

I'd like to see a big double handful of A-10's go to Israel , ground attack is key there.

We always sold "last gen" targeting hardware and software to Israel... has this changed? can they buy the new stuff at 100% capability?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Probably because the US will pay for it.

[Wiseghy]

One of the key issues with Israel was their leaky security when it came to China. Much US tech ended up in China through connections at Israeli defense contractors.

There were also issues with Arab "allies" taking um-bridge at the sale of these super-weapons, which can't be detected or shot down.

However, with Iran in ascendancy now, especially post election, a counterbalance will be needed. The Arabs are afraid of Iran now as well and likely lessened their protests.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The old F-20 was a great aircraft although it didn't sell well , very low maintenance...

The F-20 didn't sell at all and nearly put Northrop out of business. It's predecessor, the F-5, sold well and is still in use around the world.