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.

FMI: www.defenselink.mil