Talks have begun on extending the participation of Israel and Singapore in the JSF. Neither is a partner in the project, but both signed security co-operation participant (SCP) agreements giving them access to information and they are expected to be the first non-partner customers for the Lockheed Martin F-35.
"We are now looking at the next phase, and sitting down with Israel and Singapore," says John Schreiber, director, JSF international programmes, adding that the SCP agreements are coming up for renewal. He says the JSF programme office is also working with Lockheed to extend an Israeli-funded contract to study the integration of unique Israeli systems and weapons.
"We could give them aircraft in 2014," says Schreiber. The Israeli air force says it plans to buy 100-plus F-35s that will carry a "significant" number of Israeli systems. But Israel's late entry into the JSF, signing as an SCP in February 2002, has limited the potential for co-operation with Israeli industry.
Source: Flight International
