marcos98
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Israel Wants Missile Shield Money, JSF Tech To Not Block Saudi F-15 Sale
http://defensetech.org/2010/07/27/israel-wants-missile-shield-money-jsf-tech-to-not-block-saudi-f-15-sale/
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak arrives in Washington, D.C., next week. And hes coming with a list of demands for U.S. defense officials. Topping that list: Israel wants money to build-out its multi-layered missile and rocket defense shield and it wants to get its hands on advanced technology from the Joint Strike Fighter program.
If it gets what it wants, Barak suggested Israel wouldnt oppose the proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia; although perhaps not in the numbers being discussed. In an interview with the Washington Post last week, Barak evoked Israels qualitative military edge (QME), suggesting that Saudi Arabias acquisition of dozens of brand new F-15 fighters could tilt the regional military balance.
So what does Israel want for compensation? Barak said he wants money to erect a multi-layered rocket and missile defense shield over Israel, which has been his vision from day one in office. Hostile non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas have turned to the poor mans strategic bomber, the rocket, to menace Israeli cities.
Israels in-development, multi-layered defensive shield includes Iron Dome (which we wrote about here) to catch short ranged rockets and artillery rounds and Davids Sling, intended to intercept larger Scud sized missiles. The top layer of the shield, the Arrow and Super Arrow interceptors, are designed to protect against possible ballistic missiles launched from Syria and Iran, Barak said.
http://defensetech.org/2010/07/27/israel-wants-missile-shield-money-jsf-tech-to-not-block-saudi-f-15-sale/
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak arrives in Washington, D.C., next week. And hes coming with a list of demands for U.S. defense officials. Topping that list: Israel wants money to build-out its multi-layered missile and rocket defense shield and it wants to get its hands on advanced technology from the Joint Strike Fighter program.
If it gets what it wants, Barak suggested Israel wouldnt oppose the proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia; although perhaps not in the numbers being discussed. In an interview with the Washington Post last week, Barak evoked Israels qualitative military edge (QME), suggesting that Saudi Arabias acquisition of dozens of brand new F-15 fighters could tilt the regional military balance.
Israel isnt in a position to dictate who the U.S. sells advanced weaponry to, Barak said; although it really is. If Israel so desires, it can mobilize its powerful allies in Congress to hold up arms sales to Arab nations, especially when its something as big as the sale of 84 F-15s.[W]e would appreciate it if we could be compensated and the qualitative edge will be assured as well as certain aspects of the quantity. Beyond certain point, quantity turns into quality especially when the planes themselves are extremely sophisticated one.
So what does Israel want for compensation? Barak said he wants money to erect a multi-layered rocket and missile defense shield over Israel, which has been his vision from day one in office. Hostile non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas have turned to the poor mans strategic bomber, the rocket, to menace Israeli cities.
Israels in-development, multi-layered defensive shield includes Iron Dome (which we wrote about here) to catch short ranged rockets and artillery rounds and Davids Sling, intended to intercept larger Scud sized missiles. The top layer of the shield, the Arrow and Super Arrow interceptors, are designed to protect against possible ballistic missiles launched from Syria and Iran, Barak said.
As for the JSF, Barak said Israel ultimately wants several dozen of the advanced aircraft, although the buys would be stretched out over time. Israel wants to be able to put its own electronics warfare package in the JSF, he said, but also:And that kind of system that combined together will cost, in order to be fully deployed and fully protect Israel; we need tens of thousands of the short-range interceptors, thousands of the David Slings interceptors and many hundreds of the upper layers. Thats a big package.
Its extremely successful science and technology being put together, extremely short R&D schedule. But in order to fully deploy we need some $78 billion and expect that in the framework of making peace with our neighbors we will be able to give this answer to make Israelis feel secure.
We need of course to be able to participate in production of some parts in our industry as well as making sure that we can continue keeping our real edge which stems out from Israeli electronics and from our weapons systems to find the balance, an agreed upon balance between our needs and the American readiness to give us access to these advanced planes.