Another Link in America Opening Its Wallet to Israel
When Netanyahu meets Obama at the White House, he might help Israel double its number of F-35s. Too bad they don’t help against knifing attacks.
Amir Oren Nov 08, 2015 9:23 PM
--CLIP
Thus Netanyahu’s trip to Canossa at the White House Monday, after his defeat by Barack Obama in the war over Iran, is just another link in a chain of America opening its wallet and arsenal in response to Israeli concessions, whether voluntary or forced. This proves that the dangers entailed by concessions are less than the assets they bring in their wake.
This is especially true for the air force, which seeks to double its number of F-35 fighters (whose purchase has already been approved by Israel) to 100. That would fill out four squadrons, of which the last is liable to include planes capable of vertical take-off and landing (or at least take-off from very short runways), which can be operated from emergency airfields if IDF bases are under missile attack.
The more dollars Obama grants Israel, in the form of purchase vouchers for Lockheed Martin (and for Boeing, which makes the VTOL plane), the more advanced aircraft they’ll translate into. The previous generation of fighter planes – and their two-seat navigation system – will gradually be let go into retirement.
And speaking of letting go, problems in adapting the F-35 helmet, which is made by Elbit with an American partner, to the British-made ejection seat are proving dangerous to ejecting airmen if they weigh less than about 60 kilograms. This is grounding certain pilots (especially female ones) and could delay the planes’ delivery.
read more:
http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.684906
