Israel forfeits edge? - agrees to F-35's without Israeli technology

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 15 July 2009

Makor Rishon correspondent Danny Shalom reports in today's edition that
after over a year of negotiations Israel decided to accept that the F-35's
supplied to Israel not be equipped with Israeli technology that would give
the aircraft an edge over the same jets should they be supplied to the
Arabs.

The equipment included Israeli electronic warfare equipment and weapons.

The American did, however, agree to provide Israel limited access to the jet's
system software.

Shalom explains that while the F-15 and F-16 has a number of computers on
board so that changing or adding a system does not involve a central
computer, the F-35 operates with a central computer handling all systems,
thus any change has to be reflected in the software of the central
computer - with all the system tests etc. that go with it.

Israel wanted to include a system that allows for data communications
between planes and with ground control but the manufacturer said that the
system would only be added if all the costs of integrating it into the jet
were borne by Israel.

The manufacturer wanted to charge Israel $125 million a jet instead of $80
million for adding the Israeli technology.

Israel also wanted to add Israeli Python 5 Air to Air Missiles that are
superior to the American Sidewinders but the Americans refused to permit the
introduction of the competing equipment.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il