ARIE EGOZI / TELAVIV
The Palestinian conflict has led the Israeli air force to switch from fighter defence to attacking targets in built-up areas, using helicopters
In the past two years, the Israeli air force has been diverted from its main mission of protecting the country's airspace and its force and experience used to help protect against terrorist attacks. These urban operations have stretched the resources of a service which continues to be tasked with being prepared to fight a full-scale war, including use of the new operational dimension of space.
Air force commander Maj Gen Dani Haloutz says the main tool for anti-terrorist operations in the Palestinian authority has been the attack helicopter, rather than the fighters which saw extensive operation over Lebanon. "One thing must be remembered, locating a window of a building where terrorists are hiding, and putting a missile through it, is far more complicated than most fighter combat missions," he says. "Urban war also involves steps that will minimise the collateral damage."
Intelligence-gathering
Unmanned air vehicles (UAV) have played a major role in the intelligence-gathering effort over the Palestinian authority, but so far they have not been used as weapon platforms. "If technology allows that, we will consider it," says Haloutz. "But there is a limiting factor that must be remembered. Even the most advanced UAV will not be a multi-mission platform like most advanced fighters. That will force any air force to keep separate inventories of different types of UAVs. This might prove very costly, even after the low direct operating costs are taken into account."
The recent launch of Israel's Ofeq-5 imaging intelligence satellite comes amid an effort by the air force to enhance its use of space. "For us, space is a bridge for distances. It enables us to connect two points in the shortest way. Space is a substitute for inventories," says Haloutz. A decision on launching a dedicated communications satellite for the Israeli defence forces will be made by early 2003, he says. The air force is also considering a proposal by two local defence companies to develop micro-satellites that would be launched to supply real-time intelligence. "I'm also for the micro-satellite programme, but its implementation depends on the available funds," says Haloutz.
The first of 102 specially configured Lockheed Martin F-16Is will be delivered to the air force next year. As the USA is the sole supplier of aircraft to the air force, it is likely the service will be among the first to buy the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Despite this, Israel has not yet decided whether to become a partner in the JSF programme and the air force's commander is worried. "By not joining the largest fighter programme ever, the Israeli aerospace industry may find itself out of it, with severe implications. This will also make it almost impossible for us to install Israeli systems in the advanced fighter," he says.
While preparing for deployment of the F-16Is, the air force has again had to postpone the replacement of some ageing fleets, including the Zukit (Fouga CM-170 Magister) trainers and some of its older Lockheed Martin C-130s. "Some of our plans to replace old aircraft will have to be delayed again because of budget problems. The Zukit trainers will have to fly for at least some more years, and we will not be able to replace our C-130s," says Haloutz. Instead, Israel plans to upgrade its C-130s. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will compete against US companies for this programme.
Consortium
A consortium of Israeli aerospace companies headed by IAI is building a prototype of the Avionics Capability Enhancement (ACE) upgrade for the F-16A/B. This upgrade will not have a commercial future if the air force is not the launch customer and, so far, it is not. "We never made a commitment to this programme. We were partners in designing the package, but lack the money to purchase it," says Haloutz. With its investment in new F-16Is, the air force's lack of enthusiasm for the ACE programme is perhaps understandable.
Given its tight budget, the air force's decision to purchase three Gulfstream V signal intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft seems unusual. "The aircraft we use now for this mission are based on 1970s technology and cannot supply us with the data we need. We had to replace them," says Haloutz. The air force uses SIGINT systems carried on Boeing 707s.
A permanent budget problem and increasing needs has led the air force to outsourcing as a substitute for purchasing hardware. It has already awarded a contract to buy flying hours from an Israel company which will purchase and operate basic trainers. Two Israeli companies are competing for a contract to maintain the service's McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, now used as advanced trainers. "This method will be applied in every area where it can save us the manpower and managerial burdens. We will consider leasing simulator and other services to save us money," says Haloutz.
While the air force is preparing to deploy more IAI Arrow systems to provide terminal defence against tactical ballistic missiles, the concept of destroying such weapons immediately after launch is still considered important. The country's Boost Phase Launch Intercept programme also suffers from the budget problems, but Haloutz says: "This concept will be implemented. There is nothing that our defence industries cannot supply and the need is obvious."
Source: Flight International
