Preliminary negotiations between Washington and Jerusalem may produce new contracts for two types of aircraft for the Israeli air force.
Israeli sources say that an agreement between the USA and some European countries with Iran about the latter's nuclear programme is almost complete – and this means that Israel will almost certainly ask Washington to bolster its military capabilities.
If preliminary talks – so far staged at a relatively low level – proceed, the sources see two major objectives: the supply of more Lockheed Martin F-35s and the introduction of the Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor.
A contract to acquire a second batch of 14 F-35 'Adir' fighters for the Israeli air force was signed in February. The service and the defence ministry had wanted to acquire 31 aircraft, but opposition within the Israeli cabinet limited the extent of the $2.82 billion deal, and the remaining 17 examples are now listed as options.
Nineteen F-35s were already on order under a contract signed in 2010.
The air force has long wanted to introduce the V-22 to support special operations, but opposition to the acquisition from within the Israeli cabinet has so far stalled a decision.
The sources says that the smaller-than-planned F-35 order and failure to advance with a V-22 purchase have been the result of budget restrictions. "Now, if the USA is willing to compensate Israel for the Iranian nuclear agreement, the extra funding may be found," one source suggests.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
