Israel finishing deal for V22 Osprey plus KC35

[Adir-M]

Israel to buy new missiles, refueling planes from US


Hagel, Ya'alon expected to agree next week on arms deal to counter any future threat from Iran; as part of deal, Israel will purchase advanced radars for warplanes, missiles against radars, KC-35 refueling tanker planes and V-22 troop transport aircraft

WASHINGTON - The US Defense Department is expected to finalize a $10 billion arms deal with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates next week that will provide missiles, warplanes and troop transports to help the Mideast countries counter any future threat from Iran, the New York Times reported Friday.

The arms deal will be the centerpiece of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's visit the countries next week, according to a US official. The agreement with Israel is expected to be finalized during a meeting between Hagel and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon.

According to the New York Times, the United Arab Emirates would buy 26 F-16 warplanes, a package that could reach $5 billion alone, along with precision missiles that could be launched from those jets at distant ground targets. Saudi Arabia would buy the same class of advanced missile.

The newspaper said the arms sale, which was outlined to Congress on Thursday, will encounter little opposition from lawmakers.

Former defense minister Ehud Barak discussed the arms deal with former US defense secretary Leon Panetta over the course of the past year, and last month he discussed the issue with current Defense Secretary Hagel during a meeting at the Pentagon.

During his visit to the US two months ago, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz flew in a V-22 Osprey troop transport aircraft.

According to the New York Times, a new generation of KC-135 refueling tanker planes would allow Israel's warplanes stay in the air longer, an ability essential for any long-range mission — "like a strike by Iran." The tankers would also be useful for air patrols protecting Israeli borders, the report said.


The report quoted Congressional officials as saying that members were seeking assurances that the package was in keeping with American policy to guarantee Israel's "qualitative military edge" while not recklessly emboldening "Israeli hawks."

One senior administration official was quoted by the New York Times as saying "the president believes there is still time and space for diplomacy to work" in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

 

[Adir-M]

Israel also buy aesa redar for f16 and f15

It would be great to see these beauties and Osprey together.

 

[maniac@666]

i can understand u buying kc-135 &v 22 but din't understand why r u buying missiles & radars frm usa bcuz rafael & elta themselves produces sophisticated radars & excellent missiles which r known world over for their quality products.elta itself produces sophisticated aesa radars for f-16 & f-15 and many type of other advanced radars.anyways good selection,cheers mate.

 

[Natan]

First reason is money. US-made products come free up to $3B a year, unlike local products.

Second reason is the EULA of the US-made products. You can't buy an aircraft and simply install your own radar and missiles just because you have it - it would be a violation of the EULA agreement.

 

[Ajaxpaul]

I think India too has shown interest in V22....excellent platform, but damn expensive.

 

[Natan]

I think India too has shown interest in V22....excellent platform, but damn expensive.

Israel is likely to procure only half a dozen of these birds. India would probably need much more...

 

[sancho]

First reason is money. US-made products come free up to $3B a year, unlike local products.

Second reason is the EULA of the US-made products. You can't buy an aircraft and simply install your own radar and missiles just because you have it - it would be a violation of the EULA agreement.

Still disappointing that a nation that makes some of the best radars and missiles have no choice to use them, without US approval, not to mention that they block exports too.

 

[maniac@666]

sancho thats what i wanted to say.if they dont use themselves why the heck wud others?so that also means they cannot offer upgrades to other countries operating same products also bcuz of usa,thats a loss of lots of money for companies manufacturing them.if they cannot use themselves to gauge its performances in real world scenario how wud others have faith in their products?i think usa is securing its interests by not having rivals in the competition.if im right israel also bided for our mirage 2000 upgradation program though the dassualt won.if we can why can't they?so whats the use of building it.

 

[sancho]

sancho thats what i wanted to say.if they dont use themselves why the heck wud others?so that also means they cannot offer upgrades to other countries operating same products also bcuz of usa,thats a loss of lots of money for companies manufacturing them.if they cannot use themselves to gauge its performances in real world scenario how wud others have faith in their products?i think usa is securing its interests by not having rivals in the competition.if im right israel also bided for our mirage 2000 upgradation program though the dassualt won.if we can why can't they?so whats the use of building it.

Upgrades are not an issue, as long as the weapons and techs don't include US techs, because then it needs US approval to sell or upgrade them. That's why the sale of the EL 2052 AESA is such a big issue, just like some other things. But you are right, export customers have to take that into consideration too. IAF is currently is evaluating the procurement of new targeting pods, possibly for the Mirage upgrade, or Rafale. Israelis Litening G4 is also offered, including the upgrade of all current Litening 3 pods, to G4 level. But the G4 was co-developed by Rafael and Northrop Grumman, so include US techs too. It will be interesting to see how that turns out, especially wrt the upgrades for the older once, operated with Russian fighters.


Btw, to the Israeli members. AFAIK the V22s are meant for special forces, but so far it's not clear if the deal is for the CV-22 that the US special forces uses, or the normal varient. Can anybody tell something about this? Are there any reports from Israel about this?

 

[Luftwaffe]

U.A.E AF 26 F-16 [if these are BLK 60] means Rafale negotiations has finally stalled.

 

[acetophenol]

Congs to our Israeli bros!

 

[Munir]

I just love the affections from Indians for Israeli...

 

[bangbros]

I just love the affections from Indians for Israeli...

i love u too please dont take it as gay...

 

[Safriz]

Israel will be the first ever foreign buyer of osprey....
This time at Farnborough i had a chat with V-22 manufacturer's representative and asked him why no foreign country is using this plane.He blamed the stringent arms export regime the US government imposes on the country's arms manufacturers..
He said Libyan air chief had visited their stall and showed interest but he knew they wont get permission to export the plane to Libya,and that leaves them with a very narrow market as every other country is in the US embargo list for one reason or another.

 

[arp2041]

Israel is likely to procure only half a dozen of these birds. India would probably need much more...

Nope, only the IN is thinking of it's purchase to operate from it's future ACs.

I don't think the no. will be huge IF India goes for it.