US says 'NO' to Israeli request to fit their own
avionics/weapons to F-35
The US is refusing to allow Israel to fit its own avionics/weapons
to F-35. Israel has integrated Python series AAMs and Popeye ASM to
its fleet of F-15s and F-16s. Meanwhile Norway wants to use NSM and
IRIS-T on the F-35 as well.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=104160
Growing Tension Between U.S. and Israel Over F-35 Jet Fighter
21:25 May 23, '06 / 25 Iyar 5766
The U.S. has indicated that it will not allow Israel to install its
own advanced equipment on next generation fighter planes, the F-35,
limiting Israels technological edge over its enemies.
The F-35, a next generation jet fighter, costing $276.5 billion in
development and purchasing costs, is being built in the United
States with input from a number of U.S. allies. Though Israel is
playing only a small role thus far in developing the plane, it
expects to ultimately purchase the jet for the IDF.
According to a report in Maariv, the U.S. is refusing to allow
Israel to develop its own guidance, firing, and missile systems for
the new aircraft.
That policy will come as a heavy blow to Israel Aircraft Industries
which has traditionally has put its ultra-advanced high-tech
equipment in fighter jets purchased from the United States.
Many military strategists claim that Israels technological
superiority over its enemies is derived mainly from the advantage
it attains by grafting its own top secret equipment onto the
American planes.
This is especially true in cases where the U.S. sells some of its
most sensitive and sophisticated equipment to erstwhile allies,
such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which are potential military
adversaries of the Jewish State.
Israeli aeronautic military technology has gained worldwide renown
for making U.S. fighter jets much more effective in combat. Souped
up Israeli versions of American jets have a clear military
advantage over their generic counterparts. U.S. refusal to allow
Israel to use its unique technologies on the F-35 may put Israels
strategic military advantage at risk.
An Israeli air force delegation that recently visited the U.S. and
toured the Lockheed Martin plant where the plane is being developed
failed to convince American officials of the importance of fitting
Israeli weapons systems into the F-35.
As a result, Israel is considering withdrawing from the project
altogether. Other countries involved in developing the plane,
Britain, Turkey, and Norway, are also reconsidering their
involvement due to widespread cost overruns that are running into
tens of billions of dollars, and production delays.
A Lockheed spokesman said the company expects to test a prototype
by 2008 and deliver the aircraft by 2011. The Pentagon is planning
on manufacturing 2500 jets, primarily for the U.S. and British air
force.
Published: 19:02 May 23, 2006
Last Update: 21:25 May 23, 2006
