ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV
Lockheed Martin in talks to harness country's expertise in system development and demonstration phase of F-35
The Israeli ministry of defence and Lockheed Martin are making a joint effort to allow Israel's defence industry to participate in the current system development and demonstration phase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme.
Israel's defence industry has limited potential to obtain work on the fighter project, under the terms of its belated agreement to join the effort as a security co-operation participant in February 2002. While this enabled Israel's air force to have some say in the design of the JSF's combat systems, it barred its industry from participating at this stage.
This situation could be set to change. "We recognise the special know how of the Israeli industries and think that they should be integrated in some ways in this stage," a Lockheed Martin source says.
If confirmed, the step could further anger defence companies in JSF partner countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, which are already complaining of poor industrial returns on their national investments.
The only Israeli interest so far selected to supply equipment to the JSF is Vision Systems International. A joint venture between Israel's Elbit Systems and Rockwell Collins of the USA, the company has been awarded an $85 million contract to develop the helmet-mounted display for the aircraft.
The Israeli air force plans to buy at least 100 F-35s, with deliveries to possibly begin in 2014.
Source: Flight International
