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HOME > SHOWNEWS > PARIS AIR SHOW 2017 > ISRAEL SHARPENS ITS AIR POWER

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Israel Sharpens Its Air Power
Noam Eshel | ShowNews Jun 19, 2017

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Fielding a new wing of fifth-generation

Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets,
modernizing its existing air power and
quadrupling its strike capacity, the Israel
Air Force is undergoing a generational
leap that will prepare it to meet future
challenges.

The most significant modernization

underway is Israel Air Forces fielding of 50
U.S. F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation
fighters, dubbed Adir. Israel has already
fielded five such aircraft and intends to
field an entire squadron by 2020, to be followed by a second and possibly a third
squadron in a five-year span. As the first stealth-capable combat jet the Israeli Air Force NEWS FROM PARIS

has ever operated, the Lightning II opens unprecedented opportunities and expanded
freedom of action, particularly when nations in the region are equipped with increasingly
advanced counter-air and ground-based air defense capabilities.

With its stand-in survivability and excellent sensors and connectivity, the F-35 also
improves the combat potential of the entire air force, both in air superiority and air
strikes. Yet, as advanced as the avionics armament on the Joint Strike Fighter is, the
Israeli Air Force plans to enhance and improve the aircraft, adding indigenous
capabilities. For that purpose, Israel will receive a test aircraft to serve with the countrys
flight-testing unit and enable testing of weapons, systems and modifications exclusive to
the Israeli Air Force.

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Two of the five new F-35s currently operating with the IAF. Orders for all 50 aircraft are
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Opponents that will have to deal with the Israeli Air Force will realize a strike potential
that is disproportional to any air forces of a similar fleet. Challenged with massive growth
in rockets and missiles aimed at the homeland, the Israeli Air Force more than
quadrupled its strike generation rate, using precision-guided weapons. These capabilities
can be employed against all types of targets, in all relevant ranges. This trend will
continue, with the introduction of smarter, lighter weapons that would increase the load-
out of conventional aircraft (Lockheed Martin F-16I and Boeing F-15I) that still form
much of the combat force.

Use of unmanned platforms is likely to be increased. With the introduction of Elbit

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measures and other capabilities to maintain their services even in the presence of the
advanced air defenses that begin to appear in the region.
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F-35 Adir pilots are training with other units. An F-16I is at right.

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Future improvements could also deliver new assault transport capabilities, enabling the
air force to enhance operational capabilities for special operations. Two options are
considered: the CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F both offer significantly higher
performance and lift capabilities, compared to the CH-53/2000. But if special operations
are considered, the Bell/Boeing tiltrotor is a strong candidate that was already
selected and then rejected by Israel for its high cost. The Israeli Air Force also plans to
replace its fuel-guzzling Boeing 707 flying tankers. Alternatives include fielding more of
the same Boeing KC-135obtained from U.S. Air Force surplusor using commercial
Boeing 767 passenger jets converted by IAI into military tankers.

In recent years, the Israeli Air Force embarked on a comprehensive outsourcing of its
training and simulation, turning to the commercial sector to deliver turnkey systems that
included aircraft, avionics, maintenance, training aids and flight simulators. The recent
programs include the supply of Italian-made Leonardo/Aermacchi M-346 Lavi that
replaced the Lockheed Martin F-16B and old A-4N Skyhawk and the establishment of the
simulator squadron where pilots can train in complex air combat scenarios. This trend
will continue with the introduction of large UAV simulation facilities and new flight
simulators for the F-35.

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Discuss this Article 10

on Jun 20, 2017

Anton Ferreira

This has the triumphal bray of propaganda.

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6/22/2017 Israel Sharpens Its Air Power | Paris Air Show 2017 content from Aviation Week

Michael Krakowski on Jun 20, 2017

So?

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patrick.hayes@f... on Jun 20, 2017

It goes against his preconceptions so it must be (bad) propaganda.

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on Jun 20, 2017

E. Wolkerstorfer

WOW.... F-35 Program needs to be Cancelled. F-35 is a PAPER PLATFORM... A WASTE!!!!

Really despicable to provide our Allies a platform that has very limited capability and only last
week was given the software to drop "Small Diameter Bombs"... $180 Million EACH with an
additional $1.2 Trillion in Logistics Cost with Lockheed Martin. We could purchase 6 F-16I
Platforms for the cost of 1 F-35. Stealth is DEAD we are completely wasting funds and
capability. Eye wash for Wall Street. A Warfighters worst nightmare.

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jgarbuz@netzero.com on Jun 20, 2017

The US can afford to lose wars, even many wars. Israel cannot "afford" to lose even one. If
Israel thought that it could get 6 F-16s instead of 1 and be equally certain of victory, that's
the way it would have gone and not taken the F-35s. It's either victory or death for the
Jewish state. No "going home" if the mission goes sour.

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Michael Krakowski on Jun 20, 2017

Exactly!

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on Jun 20, 2017

JohnnyB67

I'm a little sceptical about the Lockheed Martin F35A Lightning I have to say both in
practability and reliability, not to mention the capital outlays for the Allies bottom line!

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on Jun 20, 2017

lewczakj

It seems to me that both the US Air Force and the IDF have a vested interest in securing the
best planes they can to support their defensive needs, as they perceive them. There are some
pretty bright folks in both organizations. I think they have a pretty clear view as to this plane's
capabilities: views which don't appear accord with those of F-35 naysayers. I'm inclined to
think that they are probably correct.

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on Jun 20, 2017

jgarbuz@netzero.com

I was an F-35 naysayer, and still have my doubts, but I know without question that if anyone
on planet Earth can turn it into an effective weapons systems, Israeli avionics engineers have
no peers. There are three reasons for this: (a) Israel has a long history of working on all kinds
of aircraft, including French planes, Russian planes, and of course American planes. Very few
American or other engineers have that breadth of experience. And (b) Israeli engineers have
brothers, fathers ,sons, daughters, and themselves who will be flying those planes when war
breaks out. Not just strangers but their own kin. And most importantly, (c) losing a war is
simply a non-option for Israel. The US can walk into, and walk out of wars at will, and will
never lose the country as a result of losing a war. Israel has no such option.

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6/22/2017 Israel Sharpens Its Air Power | Paris Air Show 2017 content from Aviation Week

on Jun 20, 2017

Just Watching

Three points:-
Let us not forget that an 'Adir' is going to be a very different animal than any other F-35. All
the networking capability of a standard F-35 is just unneeded extra weight for Israel, any war
they engage in will be long over before any coalition could be formed.
Similarly they have cut the 'apron strings' that would have tied them into ALIS, no doubt much
to LM's dismay; the data that would have flowed back to them would have been invaluble.
Lastly Israel builds its own bombs and missiles, integrating these will be a high priority, not
waiting for the Block 4 software which might have them.

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Israel Upgrades Its Air Power

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