Israel may contract out F-35 maintenance
26 July, 2016 BY: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-may-contract-out-f-35-maintenance-427834/

Israel is considering contracting out the heavy maintenance of its future
Lockheed Martin F-35As, as it seeks domestic provision of overhaul
activities on the type.

Although Lockheed is establishing a European regional maintenance facility
at Cameri airbase in Italy, Tel Aviv has repeatedly insisted that it will
perform the majority of maintenance tasks in-country.

“We have made it clear that the maintenance of the aircraft, including at
depot level, will be done in our bases,” says a senior Israeli air force
officer.

Even subsystems will be sent to other countries only if “there is a
technical reason”, he says.

However, with the delivery of its initial F-35 Adir fast approaching,
finding a solution to the MRO issue is gaining priority.

And, wary of the heavy investment required to update its air force
facilities to accommodate the Joint Strike Fighter, Israel is looking to the
private sector to provide the capability, according to sources.

Israel Aerospace Industries is strongly tipped as the likely beneficiary
thanks to its long experience in maintaining and upgrading the nation’s
fighter fleet.

In addition, IAI is under contract to manufacture more than 800 pairs of
wings for the JSF programme.

The Israeli defence ministry declined to comment.