Israel Plans To Buy Over 100 F-35s !

[A.Rahman]

In an exclusive interview, Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief procurement officer Brigadier-General Ze'ev Snir told Israel's Globes publication that F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was a key part of their IAF recapitalization plans, and that Israel intends to buy over 100 of the fighters to replace their F-16s over time.

The 100-plane deal will cost at least $5 billion by Israeli estimates, and will be the F-35A conventional take-off Air Force version. Snir added that "The IAF would be happy to equip itself with 24 F-22s but the problem at this time is the US refusal to sell the plane, and its $200 million price tag."


Access to the F-35's software source code remains a live issue for the Israelis, as it has been with the Australians, British, and others. That access is necessary for countries that want to upgrade the aircraft's computers, and/or integrate new weapons, communications, or electronic warfare systems. Israeli planes generally undergo heavy modifications to incorporate Israeli electronics and weapons systems, and the F-35 will be no exception. The US has allowed the Israelis access to the F-15 and F-16's software after development was complete, and Snir is confident the F-35A's computers will not be an issue. He reiterated that there was "no dispute with the US that IAF F-35s would include Israeli communications and electronic warfare technologies and missiles developed by Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd."




The F-35 program was initially set at $256 billion, the entire R&D cost being carried by US taxpayers. Costs have been rising, to the point where now each F-35 will cost at least $115 million. Assuming Israel can talk US officials into letting them access the aircraft codes, they'll fly their planes away for $50 million each.

Cost Per Unit Here - Very Interesting Read!

Link

 

[A.Rahman]

can saudi eurofighters match Israeli JSF's ? ( I think US wouldnt give its stealth to anyone)

 

[Thunder]

Euro fighter is a work horse while the JSF is'nt. On paper the euro fighter will be a very very though oppent against the JSF. The euro fighter is the 2nd best plane in the world, after the raptor. The only ting impressive in the JSF is probabley it's cocpit or it's stealth(that tiny bit)

 

[Officer of Engineers]

I have absolutely no idea where you get your eval but suffice to say I ain't hiring you anytime soon.

As far as this article is concerned, it's an Israeli wish list (though they might get it after the Lebanon debacle). Israel is not not even a Tier 3 country which means they might get it 20 years down the line.

 

[A.Rahman]

I have absolutely no idea where you get your eval

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/06/israel-plans-to-buy-over-100-f35s/index.php

 

[EagleEyes]

There are some reports that Isreal not even get the JSF because U.S has lost trust in Israel after passing down some of the technology to China. Isreal was merely kicked out ---- is it back again?

 

[Officer of Engineers]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/06/israel-plans-to-buy-over-100-f35s/index.php

I'm questioning his eval that the EUROFIGHTER is rated above the F-35

 

[Thunder]

I'm questioning his eval that the EUROFIGHTER is rated above the F-35

The eurofighter is 2nd to only the raptor. Yea, it has a better radar then that of JSF, i bleive it also has supercruise which only the raptor does, The eurofighter has 13 hardpoints and can carry a mix of missiles for differet roles. Air-superiority , Air interdiction, SEAD, Multi-role , Close air support , Maritime attack

The JSF on the other hand has parallel two weapons bays, each bay fitted with 2 hardpoints which carry carry various bombs and missiles. Again the only thing that JSF has is stealth( how degraded it will be depends on which country you are) and it has a state of the art cocpit.( Worth checking out)

 

[MOO]

Who needs "Stealth" when the Eurofighter can fire Stealthy JSOW Scalp-EG cruise missiles at an excess of 300km away?

 

[Thunder]

^
^

Exectly, and there are tons of other thing the eurofighter can do.

 

[RAPTOR]

Israel's plans to buy 100 F-35 is only logical since it replaces the older F-16s. Its F-35s will be bought with American Taxpayers dollars just like everything else Israel has in its arsenal. It may also eventually get the export version of the F-22 RAPTOR.

Saudi Arabia is buying 72 plus Euro Fighters to replace the Tornados and continue with the British/Saudi Al Yamanah defense agreement.It also has plans to assemble some jets in Saudi as well as transfer some technology.
Since the Saudi's also have a large number of F-15s in their airforce, they could also choose between the JSF-35 or the RAPTOR to replace those down the road.

 

[sigatoka]

Saudi Arabia is buying 72 plus Euro Fighters to replace the Tornados and continue with the British/Saudi Al Yamanah defense agreement.Since the Saudi's also have a large number of F-15s in their airforce, they could also choose between the JSF-35 or the RAPTOR to replace those down the road.

The fact that they have bought 72 fighters plus option for more suggest that U.S. planes have been displaced. I doubt Saudi will buy many F-35.

 

[A.Rahman]

The fact that they have bought 72 fighters plus option for more suggest that U.S. planes have been displaced. I doubt Saudi will buy many F-35.

what will happen to those displaced planes? any plans of selling them?

 

[melb4aust]

I have absolutely no idea where you get your eval but suffice to say I ain't hiring you anytime soon.

.

Dude i guess you should hire this guy now, after all this effort he put.

I would still consider the EF-2000 has an edge over F-35 yet now. F-35 has'nt entered into service yet, that means many of us may dont know about its real capabilities. Yeah but on the other hand we do know alot about Eurofighter as it has been already in service on british airforce plus some others. So its not an easy thing to compare both of them yet, what i think.

 

[Thunder]

Rahmen bro, if you are thinking about those arabian f-15's being sold to pakistan then it's nothing more then a dream. Those eagles are degraded( as usaul) and expensive . And besides, it's too much political problam.