Israel to acquire 50 F-35 jets, examining deal for third squadron | World Defense

Israel to acquire 50 F-35 jets, examining deal for third squadron

Falcon29

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Israel to acquire 50 F-35 jets, examining deal for third squadron

The Israeli Air Force currently has 20 F-35 stealth fighter jets in its possession and is on the way to acquiring 50 aircraft – two squadrons – a senior executive from Lockheed Martin, the defense corporation that manufactures the jet, has said.

On a recent visit to Israel, Gary North, vice president for customer requirements at Lockheed Martin, who in the past served in the United States Air Force as the former air component commander for Central Command in the Middle East, spoke to Israeli journalists in recent days at Lockheed Martin offices in Tel Aviv.

North said Israel has submitted a request for information about the potential purchase of a third squadron of F-35 fifth-generation jets, adding that Lockheed Martin was delivering all of the relevant documentation in response to the request.

"In May 2018, the first declared use [by Israel] of the jet was made," he noted, referring to a comment by IAF commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, who said that Israel had become the first country in the world to use the advanced jet during combat operations, likely against Iranian targets in Syria.

The jet heralds the arrival of a new age in air combat, according to North, due to its unprecedented capabilities, its ability to fuse and share real-time sensor data, and its long-range strike ability.

Although "no nation in the world has got more current air-to-air kills than Israel," North said, "the dog fight in today’s world is really yesterday’s discussion. Because with this airplane and the capabilities of the missiles of the airplane, and the air superiority role, those in the Adir [the IAF’s name for the F-35, meaning ‘Mighty’ in Hebrew], will sweep the sky at a range where adversaries will not even know they’re there."

Israeli defense industries are playing a key role in the manufacture of the aircraft. Elbit teamed up with US company Rockwell Collins to produce the aircraft’s Helmet Mounted Display, allowing pilots to peer through their cockpits 360 degrees and receive an array of sensor data on the situation in the air and on the ground. Israel Aerospace Industries produces the F-35’s wings and wing skins – a special layer placed over the wings that provide them with stealth capability.

"The Israeli industry is absolutely phenomenal," said North. "There’s Israeli content on every single F-35 built. We work very closely with your industry. We’re very proud of both the quality and the content that Israeli technology brings not only to the Adir in Israel, but to every F-35 built. There’s been over $1.74 billion, as of six months ago, generated in the Israeli economy. And over the life of the program, at the existing rate, we believe it will be over $5 billion into the Israeli economy," he stated.

North addressed the F-35’s ability to fly in airspace contested by militaries that have advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries – a key requirement for Israel. Syria represents the most heavily contested airspace in the world, with both the Syrian regime and Russia deploying advanced SAMs there.

"The militaries of the nations that are flying in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, particularly in Syria, they understand the capabilities of the [advanced Russian-made SAM] S-400, the double-digit SAMs that are in place there. Clearly, the militaries here, as they take off either in training or combat, they understand that they are in the sector [of the SAM], if those radars are turned on," he said.

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Scorpion

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This makes it a total of 100 F-35 which gives Israel an edge above all in the entire region. Saudi Arabia now should order a 72 EF, and put a request for F-35.
 

Falcon29

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This makes it a total of 100 F-35 which gives Israel an edge above all in the entire region. Saudi Arabia now should order a 72 EF, and put a request for F-35.

Yep, they are acquiring them for offensive edge, they don't need 75 of them to defend their air space. It is intended to give them advantage over Egyptian AF/Saudi AF and maybe even Russian AF that is in Syria.
 

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This makes it a total of 100 F-35 which gives Israel an edge above all in the entire region. Saudi Arabia now should order a 72 EF, and put a request for F-35.
Instead, KSA must invest in a JV with China or Russia to Develop Anti-Stealth radars like the one China tested in Syria and later on reportedly sold to Pakistan as well !!!

At the same time, KSA must go for investing with Mikoyan for the Light weight 5th Gen fighter UAE was in talks for. KSA needs a shift in supplier now but slowly !!!
 

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@Lieutenant and @UAE @Scorpion @Khafee , Guys, during DAS17, there was a news of Light Weight Stealth Fighter JV between UAE and Mikoyan. There was no further update later on.

Could you guys further shed some light on it if the program will start or has started or did they succumb to a possible USA pressure ?
 

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Scorpion

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@Falcon29
@Lieutenant and @UAE @Scorpion @Khafee , Guys, during DAS17, there was a news of Light Weight Stealth Fighter JV between UAE and Mikoyan. There was no further update later on.

Could you guys further shed some light on it if the program will start or has started or did they succumb to a possible USA pressure ?

The deal was put off and no justification has been given. If there was any sort of the pressure the UAE would have called for more f-16 but there was only AMRAM order recently placed by the UAE. The f-35 would be a great choice for the UAE.
 

space cadet

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I think a lot of countries are holding off for a new 6th gen which shouldn't be far away, you can invest in more 4th gen + till then
 

Scorpion

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I think a lot of countries are holding off for a new 6th gen which shouldn't be far away, you can invest in more 4th gen + till then
Agreed fully.
 

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The deal was put off and no justification has been given. If there was any sort of the pressure the UAE would have called for more f-16 but there was only AMRAM order recently placed by the UAE. The f-35 would be a great choice for the UAE.
F-35 would be a great but not productive choice for UAEAF. This cycle of off the shelf with zero tot will continue for another 3 decades which is horrible !!!
 

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F-35 would be a great but not productive choice for UAEAF. This cycle of off the shelf with zero tot will continue for another 3 decades which is horrible !!!

UAE could replace Turkey and participate in the F-35 program.
 

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@Falcon29
@Lieutenant and @UAE @Scorpion @Khafee , Guys, during DAS17, there was a news of Light Weight Stealth Fighter JV between UAE and Mikoyan. There was no further update later on.

Could you guys further shed some light on it if the program will start or has started or did they succumb to a possible USA pressure ?

Postponed to unknown date at the request of the ministry of defense.
 
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