{"id":43326,"date":"2021-02-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/02\/12\/taking-a-closer-look-at-israels-weapons-wish-list\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:37:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:37:34","slug":"taking-a-closer-look-at-israels-weapons-wish-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2021\/02\/12\/taking-a-closer-look-at-israels-weapons-wish-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a closer look at Israel\u2019s weapons wish list"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eyeing Iran and its terrorist proxies in Syria and Lebanon, Israel\u2019s Cabinet approved<\/a> on Feb. 7 an Israeli Air Force request to use U.S. foreign military financing and loans to fund approximately $9 billion worth of U.S. military aircraft and weapons. Jerusalem\u2019s decision initiates a process intended to culminate in the Air Force\u2019s acquisition of new American fighter aircraft, air refuelers and helicopters. These purchases would help address vital Israeli military requirements and support efforts to maintain its qualitative military edge over any potential regional adversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the approved plan, Israel will use both existing funding mechanisms and new loans. The former will come from annual foreign military financing Washington provided pursuant to a 2016 U.S.-Israel memorandum of understanding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision was delayed due to disagreements over whether it\u2019d be prudent to fund part of the purchases with loans. Israel\u2019s Finance Ministry reportedly opposed the plan. However, motivated by growing threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi supported the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the recent decision does not provide approval for any specific aircraft or quantities of aircraft. The move simply represents the first step in the Israeli acquisition process. The IAF will now present its recommendations regarding specific fighters, aerial refuelers and helicopters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of fighters, Israel is considering both the F-35<\/a> and the F-15EX<\/a>. Like the U.S. Air Force, the Israeli Air Force sees value in mixing the complementary capabilities of the two aircraft. Israel has purchased two squadrons of F-35s and would like more. That is because the F-35 is the world\u2019s most advanced multirole fighter, combining exceptional sensor and network capabilities with advanced technologies that make it difficult to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force has reportedly used its F-35I Adir variant to strike<\/a> Iranian targets in Syria<\/a> and has flown it over Lebanon<\/a> and other areas. Israel is combating Iranian efforts both to establish another front against Israel in Syria, and to funnel precision-guided munition parts and technology through Syria to Hezbollah<\/a> in Lebanon. As Iran acquires more advanced anti-aircraft capabilities and potentially advances its nuclear program further, the F-35\u2032s cutting-edge capabilities will become even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding the F-35\u2032s exceptional capabilities, Israel seeks to improve the capabilities of its F-15 fleet. The Air Force is interested in acquiring an Israeli version of the F-15EX \u2014 dubbed the F-15IA \u2014 and upgrading some of its older F-15Is. Taking into account maintenance and sustainment costs as well as other factors, the F-15 aircraft costs less per flight hour than the F-35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-15EX also has much greater capacity for carrying munitions. The F-15EX can carry roughly 30,000 pounds of weapons, whereas the F-35 can carry 5,000 pounds internally and has up to 18,000 pounds of total payload capacity when using external stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-35 can carry four to six missiles internally without increasing the aircraft\u2019s radar signature, and has additional carriage capacity when stealth is not required. By comparison, the F-15EX can carry up to 12 external missiles. In addition, relative to the F-35, Israel expects that it would have more leeway to tailor the F-15EX\u2019s software and hardware to Jerusalem\u2019s unique needs. That could include Israel\u2019s own electronic warfare, communication, missile and avionics packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The complementary F-35 and F-15EX capabilities and features make Israel highly likely to move forward with plans to procure one squadron of each aircraft, starting with the F-35. The goal is to increase the Air Force\u2019s capability and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\t