Israel has joined the growing international trend towards outsourcing part of its military efforts with the award of a contract to supply and operate new training aircraft for the Israeli air force (IAF).
Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, will use Grob 120A trainer aircraft for screening potential pilots.
Cyclone will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft at an IAF base.
The IAF currently uses elderly Piper PA-18 Super Cubs and CM170 Zukits (updated versions of the Fouga Magister) in the screening role.
Replaced
The number of aircraft being acquired from Grob is uncertain, but the IAF currently operates 35 Super Cubs, which will be replaced by the German-built machines.
According to Flight International's World Air Forces Directory, Israel's requirement was for up to 32 new aircraft.
The contract award is for a period of 10 years. Cyclone will be paid according to the number of flight hours undertaken. Initial capability with the Grobs is wanted by later this year.
The contract was awarded under the Israeli defence ministry's new private finance initiative.
This is intended to make the best possible use of the training budget and is designed to give the ministry manpower savings by transferring responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft to a specialised contractor. The contract will be undertaken under Israeli civil aviation authority regulations.
Israel has an outstanding requirement to replace the Zukits.
Source: Flight Daily News
