Target Date: 2012
The US and Israel have signed a letter of intent outlining the
terms of Israel's participation in the development of the
next-generation Joint Strike Fighter due to be completed by 2012.
Israel will pay tens of millions of dollars over the next several
years for the right to participate and purchase the planes.
US Undersecretary of Defense, Technology, and
Logistics Edward Aldridge Jr. signed the letter on Thursday at the
Pentagon in the presence of Israeli Ambassador Danny Ayalon.
Defense Ministry Director-General Amos Yaron also signed the letter
several days ago.
Ayalon thanked the US officials who helped negotiate the deal
for their support and expressed appreciation that Israel will be
included in the project.
"Tense" Negotiations, Special Deal
The Jerusalem Post reported last month that the US and Israel
had wrapped up months of tense negotiations and agreed on a
framework for Jerusalem's involvement in development of the
plane.
Some European partners in the program had resisted full Israeli
participation. Israel last year was also late in applying for
participation in the project, complicating the talks.
As a result, the US and Israel worked out a
special bilateral security cooperation deal. Israel will be
designated a "security cooperation participant" in the JSF program.
Eight countries are already collaborating with the US.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will be barred from
partner discussions during development, but will have full input
via the US, sources said.
At the same time, the US has pledged to help Israel modify the
plane to employ some of its own equipment, especially air-to-air
missiles, satisfying a key Israeli demand.
New HUD Helmet Part Of The Plan
An advanced helmet manufactured by Elbit, which enables pilots
to use eye motion to direct missile fire, has been selected for the
program, sources said.
And Israeli firms will now be able to compete in the development
and manufacturing of portions of the new aircraft. "Every company
that is going to compete, whether Israeli, American or European, is
going to be judged on its best value, in terms of price and value
of technology," an Israeli official said.
This had been a major sticking point in talks,
since most of the parts had already been divided up among partners
for production.
An Israeli program office will be located near the main JSF
project office in Washington. And an understanding was reached to
supply the aircraft to the IAF beginning in 2012. Israel has not
yet decided how many planes it intends to buy.
Strengthening Ties Result Of Fading NATO?
Defense Ministry spokeswoman Rahel Nidek-Ashkenazi said there
was no connection between the timing of the signing and the
widening rift between the US and Europe over plans to attack
Iraq.
"It is a privilege to be part of this program," said
Nidek-Ashkenazi, who added that the expected delivery "fits well"
the plans of the air force."
The agreement stipulated that the configuration of the JSF will
converge with "Israel's unique operational requirements."
Also Thursday, the House of Representatives was scheduled to
vote on a catch-all spending bill that included $2.7 billion in
military and economic assistance for Israel this year.