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Israel is working to convert Boeing 767 into a long-flight refueling tanker "US defense and air industry sources report that the Israeli Air Force may give up on the US Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus as its future refueling tanker for long-range flights because of delays in its delivery." "Israel had first planned to take the Pegasus to replace its converted Boeing 707 when delivery was first to the US Air Force was scheduled for August 2017. But this week, the company put the date back by another eight months and the price increased by half a billion dollars. American sources point...

The findings are according to a new study conducted by military experts for the publication Business Insider. Israel’s military is the most powerful in the Middle East while its air force ranks second to none globally, according to a new study conducted by military experts for the publication Business Insider. The publication ranked the 15 strongest armies in the region while noting the size of the countries’ respective defense budgets as well as the latest geopolitical tumult and its impact on military strength. “A close defense relationship with the US and an energetic domestic defense industry give Israel a qualitative...

Almost six years after the Second Lebanon War, special Israeli units are preparing to take part in mass incursions into Lebanon if another round of fighting with Hezbollah breaks out. Just as important, they are being trained to heed the legal implications. Officers say the Israel Air Force would destroy targets like training bases and rocket-launching pads within a few days, based on the intelligence gathered by the Israel Defense Forces. But this would not be enough, so a ground offensive would be necessary. Published 00:51 08.04.12 Latest update 00:51 08.04.12 Special IDF units preparing for mass Lebanon incursion if...

In August 2010, Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced his decision to make the F-35 Lightning II ‏(aka the Joint Strike Fighter‏) as the future fighter plane of the Israel Air Force. Was it the right choice? The F-35 is a fifth-generation combat aircraft. As such it has some unique capabilities that would make every combat pilot’s mouth water: It is stealthy ‏(that is, nearly invisible to enemy radars‏); it has a suit of sensors that enables it to scan and track a large number of targets − in the air, in the sea and on the ground − and provide...

Israeli Air Force sends number of squadrons from Nevatim, Tel Nof bases including F15, F16; Italians use Euro-fighter Typhoon.Refused permission to fly in Turkish airspace, the Israeli Air Force continued to create alliances with additional air forces in the region, wrapping up a two-week exercise with the Italian Air Force on Friday on the island of Sardinia. A number of squadrons of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets from the IAF’s Nevatim and Tel Nof bases participated in the maneuvers, which focused on low-altitude flights, dogfights and longrange interception. Air force sources said the teams were allowed to fly over a...

Following the Israeli Government decision to select the Lockheed Martin ] F-35 Lightning II as the Israel Air Force’s next-generation fighter aircraft, Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General (Maj. Gen. Ret.) Udi Shani signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of the F-35 aircraft earlier today in New York. Israel will be the first country to receive the F-35 through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales process. “We’re very pleased with the Government of Israel’s decision to move forward with the U.S. government’s Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the F-35,” said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin...

Israel wants the Obama administration and Lockheed-Martin Company to set up a US-run logistics and maintenance center for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in the Negev, reports "Defense News", quoting US and Israeli government and industry sources. Lockheed-Martin is the chief contractor for the F-35, which is due to become the next-generation mainstay of the Israel Air Force. Defense News" says that Israeli officials consider construction of a large logistics center to be a critical factor for independent operational capabilities, especially since airports and seaports are liable to be targets of rocket and missile attacks in a war. Ministry...

Two recent rounds of US/Israeli talks about the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35s to the Israeli air force have ended with the same gap that has so far prevented the signature of a letter of agreement. The talks are to resume in May, with Israeli sources saying that "more time and goodwill is needed before an agreement can be signed". Discussions have centred on major issues, including the extent to which Israel will be allowed to install its own electronic warfare systems in the stealth fighter, and the extent of industrial co-operation for its companies. The Israeli air force is...

Financial concerns are requiring new innovations in procurement for the Israel Air Force (IAF) as it continues its modernisation drive to replace fighter, transport and trainer aircraft. One of the most important programmes facing delays due to cost is the planned procurement of a first squadron of 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs). Years of negotiations with the US Department of Defense and the prime contractor were to result in a letter of agreement (LoA) in coming weeks, setting a base price for each of the advanced fighter aircraft at USD130 million. A senior IAF source...

On March 29, 2005 the London Arab daily Al-Hayat published a report on Iran’s current preparedness for an American or Israeli attack. The report was translated by www.memri.org (Middle East Media Research Institute). MEMRI introduced the report as follows: “In recent months, commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and armed forces have announced their complete preparedness for a possible military attack on Iran’s nuclear installations and other sensitive sites. Iranian spokesmen have declared that Iran’s response would be formidable.” The interview indicates the hostility, confidence, determination and intractability of the Iranian leadership. Following are excerpts from that article: “Iranian military sources...