- 25 maart 2010
US gives ISRAEL free PLANES
(0:41) US gives ISRAEL free PLANES__March-2010
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington this week absorbing the full wrath of the Obama administration, the Pentagon and Israel's defense establishment were in the process of sealing a large arms deal.
According to the deal, Israel will purchase three new Hercules C-130J airplanes. The deal for the three aircrafts, designed by Lockheed Martin, is worth roughly a quarter billion dollars. Each aircraft costs $70 million.
The aircrafts were manufactured specifically for Israeli needs, and include a large number of systems produced by Israel's defense industry.
The deal will be covered by American foreign assistance funds. The Pentagon will issue a formal announcement on the matter on Thursday evening.
America and Israel have still not reached an agreement regarding the purchase of the Lockheed F-35 war plane. It is still not clear when that deal, which is estimated to be worth more than $3 billion, will finally be sealed and carried out.
If that deal is signed in the near future, Israel will likely receive its first F-35 in 2014. 20 mar 2012, 22:32 , Respect -
Maria 9 juni 2010
Israel preparing for prolonged ME war
Israel seems to be preparing for a prolonged war in the Middle East, demanding the United States for more military equipment and a boost of US-held arsenals in Israel.
The requests were brought up during recent visits to Washington by high-ranking Israeli defense officials, and in conversations with senior administration and Congress officials, Haaretz revealed in an article published on its website on Tuesday.
Among the requested weapons are US bombs and precision guidance kits, such as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that add GPS/INS guidance to bombs.
The JDAM kits have been increasingly used by the Israeli air force in recent offensives, including in the 2006 war against Lebanon and the 2008 Gaza war.
The priority list is said to indicate that Israel is preparing for the prospects of a long war, which would necessitate an extensive use of the air force to attack a large number of targets, along with ensuring enough spare parts and supplies.
Israel is also seeking to increase the amount of gear held by the American army in their emergency stores in Israel by 50 percent that is from $800 million to $1.2 billion.
US President Barack Obama's administration provided Israel with the stockpile in December in line with Washington's efforts to step up its military assistance to Israel.
To date, $600 million worth of US-made rockets, bombs, aircraft ammunition and armored vehicles, along with other weapons has been placed in Israel as American emergency equipment.
The gear fully matches the equipment already used by the Israeli army and is cataloged upon arrival to ensure quick and easy access at a time of need.
The move seems to favor the US by bringing military equipment closer to areas where it might need to fight, while assisting Washington's closest Mideast ally in case of a possible war.
The US arsenals in Israel are of great significance for Tel Aviv, which sees the arsenal as a guarantee that, in the event of an extensive conflict, the needed ammunition and spare parts will be available in no time.
The move comes amid repeated warnings from the Palestinians, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, saying Israel is after waging a new war in the Middle East region.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=129501§ionid=351020202 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 21 juli 2010
(5:01) ISRAEL Will Receive F35 Lightning II Stealth Fighters - For Defense from Hostile Nations 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 1 aug. 2010
US boosts Israeli missile funding
House c'tee pushes defense program money to highest level ever.
WASHINGTON – US House appropriators have pushed funding for Israeli missile defense programs to its highest level ever, with $422.7 million now slated for 2011.
Last week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense added $95.7m. to the original White House funding request for the long-range Arrow programs and medium-range David’s Sling, according to sources close to the panel. The lion’s share – $108.8m. – will go to the Arrow 3 system, which the US signed off on after some initial hesitation.
In addition, the monies include $205m. pledged this spring by US President Barack Obama to the short-range Iron Dome project.
The package is more than twice as much as last year’s total, and adds up to nearly $1 billion in aid to joint US-Israel missile defense programs in the past four years.
“Chairman [Norm] Dicks, myself and all the members of the Defense Subcommittee understand how important it is to be at the cutting edge of anti-missile technology, both to safeguard our own citizens and troops, but also those citizens and troops of our allies and friends such as the people of the Jewish state of Israel,” Rep. Steve Rothman (D-New Jersey) told The Jerusalem Post on Friday.
Rothman has pushed for greater funding of joint US-Israel missile defense programs during his tenure on the committee.
“It would be political suicide for the Senate to come in with a lower number”
The funding will need to be voted on by the full House when it reconvenes in the fall, as well as approved by the Senate in its own defense appropriations bill.
That bill could be “marked up” next week but is more likely to be reviewed after the August recess. In the “mark-up session,” amendments may be offered to the bill, and the committee members would vote to accept or reject those changes.
“It would be political suicide for the Senate to come in with a lower number,” said one source close to the issue of his expectation that the Senate will agree to the totals set by the House last week. “There’s virtually zero chance that these [projects] don’t get funded at these levels.”
The funding comes at a time when the US has been under pressure to tighten its belt given the recession, with the defense budget no exception.
“Given the concern and attention that we are focusing now on every dollar we are expending on behalf of the US taxpayer for all purposes, including the defense of the United States and its allies, it is a mark of the importance of these projects that they were all funded so robustly and fully by our subcommittee,” Rothman said.
There were also concerns among some elements of the pro-Israel community that the new money for the Iron Dome project announced by Obama would come at the expense of the funding for the Arrow and David’s Sling projects, so that overall missile defense aid would not significantly increase.
The Israeli government is among those pleased by the outcome.
“The embassy of Israel deeply appreciates this latest expression of the congressional commitment to Israel’s security and to the development of systems that will enhance the defense of both Israel and the United States,” Ambassador to the US Michael Oren said.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=183229 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 11 aug 2010
US to emasculate Saudi F-15s for Israel
Acknowledging Israeli concerns, the United States is reportedly to reduce the combat capabilities of the warplanes it is to sell Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials had voiced unease with the proportions of the arms deal which sees the sale of about 84 F-15 aircraft to the Kingdom, prominent American paper The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Security sources in Israel had warned that equipped with the fighters, the Saudis "might turn against us," the Israeli daily, Ha'aretz had said.
Accordingly and in line with Washington's age-old policy of adjusting its actions with Tel Aviv, the planes are to lose some of their combat-readiness, including advanced long-range weapons systems. They are as well to be fitted with comparably poorer onboard targeting systems.
Also, the US Congress has decided to block some $100 million in aid to Lebanon's military at a time when Beirut has launched a campaign to prepare its armed forces with requisite hardware against potential Israeli threats.
Meanwhile Israel is to purchase the far more capable F-35, which it could receive from the US as early as 2015, around the same time the Saudis would begin to get new F-15s, the The Wall Street Journal added.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138223§ionid=351020206 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 11 aug 2010
Russia accuses US of treaty violation for export of strategic weaponry to Israel
In response to the US exports of military materials and high-tech decoy missile components to be assembled in Tel Aviv, Russia has accused the US of violating the START-1 treaty on strategic offense weapons.
In an official statement sent to the US State Department and published in detail on Monday [August 9th] in local Russian media outlets, Russia's Foreign Ministry asserted that the United States had committed numerous violations that threaten Russian security. Most significantly, the US is exporting defense decoy missile components to be assembled in Tel Aviv and supplying Israel with technology that it is not supposed to possess given that it is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime.
The ministry added that the US administration is not fulfilling its non-proliferation responsibilities and held it responsible for the Georgian attack on South Ossetia around two years ago as Washington "exported a large shipment of 18,400 rifles and carbines and 40 heavy machine guns to Georgia." Sources mentioned at the time that weapons were transferred through Tel Aviv and particularly that military relations and weapons deals exist between the two countries.
This statement comes in the context of Russia's response to the US charges – in July – of Russia breaching the START-1 nuclear arms treaty and other treaties.
http://fwd4.me/0jSd 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 15 aug 2010
Israel to purchase 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets
F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp.
Defense Minister Barak's approval of the $2.7 billion deal comes after more than two years of tough negotiations involving the Israeli and U.S. defense establishments and Lockheed Martin.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved the purchase of 20 F-35 fighter planes for the Israel Air Force on Sunday.
The planes, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, are expected to be delivered to Israel between 2015 and 2017.
Barak's approval of the $2.7 billion deal came after more than two years of tough talks between the Israeli defense establishment, the U.S. Pentagon, and Lockheed Martin.
http://fwd4.me/0jSc 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 16 aug 2010
Hezbollah ruins Israeli drone contract
Israeli soldiers look at an IAI Eitan (Heron TP) surveillance drone at an air force Base near Tel Aviv, February 21, 2010.
Hezbollah's recent revelation in airing photos taken by Israel's unmanned surveillance planes has markedly affected the sale of the drones.
On August 9, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said the Lebanese resistance movement had intercepted Israeli drone transmissions and used the intelligence in a deadly attack on Israeli commandos in the Lebanese coastal village of Antsaria back in 1997.
Nasrallah also presented footage taken by Israeli drones of routes taken by Lebanon's slain Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri prior his assassination in February 2005, saying the video proved Israel's involvement in the murder.
Citing a report by Jane's Defense Weekly , al-Manar said the televised speech and the revelation has affected agreements between Tel Aviv and Moscow for purchasing Israeli surveillance drones.
Russian officials had reportedly launched talks with Israeli counterparts on a drone sale contract worth USD 300 million, but the Israeli side had to pull out of the negotiations due to security considerations.
Experts believe Hezbollah's interception of the intelligence collected by the drones will affect the willingness of other countries such as Brazil, India and Turkey to purchase the spy aircraft.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138916§ionid=351020203 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 16 aug 2010
(0:26) DN! US Buys Advanced Fighters for Israel $2.75 Billion - US Taxpayers
US to Fund Israeli Purchase of 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
Israel is one step closer to purchasing twenty F-35 Joint Strike Fighter warplanes built by Lockheed Martin. The $2.75 billion arms deal will be paid for by American taxpayers as part of the US military aid package to Israel. Israel will become the first foreign country to sign an agreement to buy the F-35 outside the eight international partners that helped to develop the plane. 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 17 aug 2010
Israel approves F-35 purchase deal
Israeli defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved plans to purchase 20 US-built F-35 planes in a move set to ramp up the capabilities of the Israeli air force.
Under the USD 2.7 billion deal approved by Barak on Sunday, the strike fighters manufactured by the American defense giant Lockheed Martin are expected to be delivered to Israel between 2015 and 2017.
"The F-35 is the fighter plane of the future that will allow Israel to maintain its aerial superiority and its technological advantage in the region," Haaretz quoted Barak as saying on its website.
The Israeli minister added that that the new technology would give the Israeli air force better capabilities to help strengthen Israel's security.
The endorsement comes after more than two years of negotiations involving the Israeli and US defense establishments and Lockheed Martin.
The talks were complicated by the Israeli air force's demand to install Israeli systems on the aircraft, changes that the Americans strongly rejected.
Israel finally withdrew its demands and agreed to purchase 20 F-35s without the Israeli systems installed.
The Americans have promised, however, that if Israel buys more F-35s, it will be possible to install the Israeli systems on those aircraft.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, which is capable of evading radar and anti-aircraft missile systems.
The Israeli F-35 deal is expected to be finalized by the end of September by a panel of Israeli ministers.
Israel would be the first party to sign an agreement to buy the F-35, or Joint Strike Fighter, outside the eight international partners that have helped to develop the plane.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=139021§ionid=351020202 20 mar 2012, 22:33 , Respect -
Maria 24 aug 2010
Finance Minister balks at F-35 jet deal
Steinitz objects that Barak didn't consult other ministers.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s appointee to serve as the next chief-of-staff seemed on easy track for political approval Monday, but another recent Barak decision – to acquire 20 futuristic airplanes from the United States – has hit the shoals following Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz’s demand that the government reconsider the $ 2.7 billion deal.
Steinitz’s request, reported by Army Radio, is likely to be heeded by the government, in which case a discussion will be held. The proposal to acquire the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was first announced last week.
The funds for the airplane, considered to be one of the two best fighters currently manufactured, would be drawn from US military aid funds for Israel, and not from Israeli tax dollars. But during the Sunday government meeting, Steinitz drew parallels between the airplane’s costs and the total package subsidized by the government to revitalize Israeli higher education.
The cost of the entire educational reform, Steinitz stressed, was less than the cost of the 20 airplanes.
Steinitz objected that such a financially significant decision was made where no government minister was consulted other than Barak. The plane, Steinitz protested, would include numerous hidden costs for Israel beyond the American aid, including the cost of training flight crews. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu listened to Steinitz’s criticism and reportedly told the finance minister the decision would be discussed, but in a smaller forum than the 39-member government.
The airplane’s American manufacturer, defense giant Lockheed- Martin, had reportedly blocked Israel from installing Israeli-made systems on the aircraft, which would be Israel’s first stealth-equipped fighter. In any event, Barak had reportedly planned to bring the deal for final approval to the security cabinet in the coming weeks.
According to the schedule presented for the airplane’s acquisition, delivery is expected to begin in 2015, over the course of approximately two years.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=185742 20 mar 2012, 22:34 , Respect -
Maria 6 sept 2010
Update: Israel, Russia sign military cooperation deal
Long-term agreement may lead to additional Russian purchases of Israeli military technology.
Russia and Israel signed a framework military cooperation deal on Monday that Russia's defence chief suggested would lead to further purchases of Israeli weapons and technology.
"We have just signed a long-term agreement on military cooperation," Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said after meeting with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak. He said they discussed both military and weapons cooperation.
"It's very important to us that in the transition to a new image, the Russian armed forces use the experience the Israeli armed forces have and the work they has done," Serdyukov said, according to the Defense Ministry press service.
The ministry did not reveal details of the agreement, which was the latest sign of tightening ties between the nations. Russia has drawn closer to Israel since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, a supporter of Arab nations in the Middle East.
Russia, which is beginning to buy foreign arms as it struggles to improve its rusty military, has sought to build up a fleet of Israeli-made spy drones since Georgia used such Israeli aircraft against Russia in their brief 2008 war.
Serdyukov said Russia has bought 12 of the pilotless aircraft and is training 50 servicemen to operate them.
Israel has pressed Russia not to sell weapons to its foes such as Syria and Iran. Moscow pleased Israel by promising not to deliver S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran while new U.N. sanctions over its nuclear program are in place.
"Russia is a central power in the world, and a very dominant and influential force in the Middle East," Barak told Serdyukov according to a statement from Barak's office.
It said he outlined Israel's main security concerns foremost the Iranian threat and Syria's armament along with its "support for terror organizations and Hezbollah."
http://fwd4.me/0uph
Israel, Russia sign military cooperation deal
Defense Minister Ehud Barak signed a military cooperation pact with Russian Defense Minister Antoly Serdyukov in Moscow on Monday.
The Defense Ministry viewed Monday's agreement as a significant accomplishment for Israel's security.
"Russia is the a key and dominant world power and is very influential in the Middle East," said Barak.
The two leaders agreed to arrange another visit between them, in Russia or in Israel, for some time in the future.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=187255l 20 mar 2012, 22:34 , Respect -
Maria 12 sept 2010
Navy tests new missile defense systems
Small UAVs that can be launched from ships also being considered to counter Hamas, Hizbullah.
In an effort to bolster its defenses in face of Hamas and Hizbullah’s growing anti-ship capabilities, the Israel Navy is testing a new missile defense system for its small and fast patrol boats that are tasked with enforcing the blockade on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon during wartime.
The navy’s patrol ships include the Super Dvora, built by Israel Aerospace Industries and the Shaldag, manufactured at Israel Shipyards. The new defense system includes a radar, which detects and tracks incoming missiles, and uses an electronic warfare system to jam its signal and divert it from its course. It is under development by MAFAT, the Defense Ministry’s Research and Development Directorate.
Until now, Israel’s larger missile ships have been equipped with defense systems such as the Barak 1 missile interceptor as well as a rapid fire cannon called Phalanx.
During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, the INS Hanit was hit by a Hizbullah C-802 surface-to-sea missile supplied by Iran.
The decision to develop a missile system for patrol boats is due to a fear that Hamas and Hizbullah are bolstering their anti-ship capabilities as well as an understanding that anti-tank missiles, which both terrorist organizations possess, could also be used to target the vessels, which tend to sail close to the shore.
The navy is also upgrading its reconnaissance and intelligence- gathering capabilities and has decided to buy a number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be launched from its ships at sea and land on them as well.
The UAV chosen was Yavnebased Aeronautics Defense Systems’ Orbiter, which has a range of about 80 kilometers, and can remain in flight for four hours at a height of about 18,000 ft. The Orbiter is already in use in 10 countries, although only for land-based operations.
Like the land-based version of the UAV, the Orbiter to be used by the navy will be launched from a catapult and land into a net on the ship.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=187789 20 mar 2012, 22:34 , Respect -
Maria 16 sept 2010
Crowley: Arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia in US's interest
US State Department Spokesman Phillip Crowley said Thursday that arms sale to "allies such as Israel or Saudi Arabia" was in the national interest of the United States.
Crowley refused to comment on recent reports that the US will sell $60 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia but defended the cooperation with Riyadh by pointing to Saudi concerns of Iran gaining strength.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3955490,00.html