The government of Israel has overcome its concerns about technology access on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to a sufficient level to press ahead with the purchase of 20 of the fighters at $96 million per copy.
One of Israel’s concerns has been about its ability to maintain its flexibility in the electronic warfare realm. But the government now seems to feel it can buy and upgrade the aircraft in a way to not become dependent on the U.S. for quick-reaction upgrades to the electronic warfare suite.
Under the deal now planned, aircraft deliveries are slated to start in 2015 and be completed by 2017. That will make the F-35I, as the aircraft will be designated, among the first foreign JSFs in service.Defense minister Ehud Barak approved the deal in principal, which clears the way for the signing of the letter of agreement to firm up the deal. The Israeli defense ministry says that will happen in a few months. The Israeli cabinet still has to approve the deal, too.
Barak says the deal “will allow Israel to continue maintaining air superiority in our region.”The participation of Israeli industry and potential exports contributed to the deal going forward.
20 Stück der I- Version....
Das deutet daraufhin, daß die Israelis einen Großteil an einheimischer Avionik verbuaen, was wiederum heissen könnte, daß ihnen exklusiver Zugang zu den Programmcodes des Fliegers eingeräumt wird......
Der erste Auftrag, der an eine Nation außerhalb des Entwicklungskonsortiums geht....... :shocked:
