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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Israel
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| Israel asks for new F-15I squadron and V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as US security aid package | |||
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A new squadron of F-15's, modern tanker aircraft, helicopters, the V-22 osprey tilt rotor, precision weaponry, and large scale financial aid for the Arrow 3 missile program - those are just some of things Israel is demanding from the US in the framework of a security aid package. The aid package surpasses the typical annual aid package – which amounts to $3.1 billion.
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 Israel asked for an additional squadron of F-15I "Ra'am" multirole strike fighter |
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The special aid list was presented in closed door meetings between high level officials from both countries. The list was clarified during a meeting between Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter in Washington last week, and is meant to help Israeli maintain is "Qualitative Edge" for the coming years. The list was presented to US President Barak Obama ahead of a planned visit to the White House next week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Secretary Carter said during Ya'alon's visit that Israel would be the only country in the Middle East to receive the futuristic F-35 fighter, but Israeli officials have also asked for a squadron of F-15's – which would be fitted with the latest Israeli systems, and are often considered the "work horse" of the air force. The US recently approved the sale of the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor to Israel at its request. The Osprey can fly like an aircraft and land like a helicopter, and would be used for Special Forces insertions, and quick evacuation operations from difficult territory. Iran is within the osprey's range. Ambassador Dennis Ross and General David Petraeus recently advised the US government to sell Israel special bunker-buster bombs which are capable of destroying Iranian nuclear facilities – but the option seems to be off the table for now. The US government seems to be primarily interested in beefing up Israel's defensive capabilities, specifically the "Arrow 3" anti-ballistic missile system. Defense Secretary Carter emphasized during his meeting with Ya'alon that the two were "searching for additional ways to increase cooperation, including the fields of cyber technology and advanced weaponry." He emphasized that the relationship between the US and Israel is not one sided, and that "Israel has outstanding capabilities in the field of cyber, and technology." |
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