shomer escribió:Según declaraciones del Comandante Ze'ev Snir de la HHA, las futuras adquisiciones incluirían 100 F-35, 22 F-22 y 6 C-130J! ... Además habría presupuesto para una nueva modernizacion de la flota de CH-53 (Yasur 2000) para mantenerlos en servicio otros 20 años!
El primer paso concreto a la adquisición de Raptors por parte de un grupito selecto de aliados USA ya se ha dado:
US seeks to lift export sales ban on F-22A
By Caitlin Harrington, JDW Staff Reporter, Washington, DC
The US Congress is poised to lift a ban of almost nine years on export sales of the F-22A Raptor aircraft following a vote to lift the ban in the US House of Representatives on 20 June.
US lawmakers approved an amendment to the 2007 defence appropriations bill that would allow F-22A manufacturer Lockheed Martin to sell the next-generation fighter jet to other countries seeking to upgrade their fighter fleets. Potential customers include Japan and South Korea.
The amendment to lift the ban on foreign sales was introduced by Republican representative Kay Granger, whose Texas district is home to the Fort Worth headquarters of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Granger's amendment comes at a time when foreign sales of the F-22A could prove crucial to Lockheed Martin's business, while future sales to the US government are no longer guaranteed.
Y aquí una nota del resto de los planes futuros:
Israel Plans to Buy Over 100 F-35s
Posted 27-Jun-2006 09:23 | Permanent Link
Related stories: Contracts - Intent, Fighters & Attack, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, New Systems Tech, Support Functions - Other, Transport & Utility, United Technologies
In an exclusive interview, Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief procurement officer Brigadier-General Ze'ev Snir told Israel's Globes publication that F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was a key part of their IAF recapitalization plans, and that Israel intends to buy over 100 of the fighters to replace their F-16s over time. The 100-plane deal will cost at least $5 billion by Israeli estimates, and will be the F-35A conventional take-off Air Force version. Snir added that "The IAF would be happy to equip itself with 24 F-22s but the problem at this time is the US refusal to sell the plane, and its $200 million price tag."
Access to the F-35's software source code remains a live issue for the Israelis, as it has been with the Australians, British, and others. That access is necessary for countries that want to upgrade the aircraft's computers, and/or integrate new weapons, communications, or electronic warfare systems. Israeli planes generally undergo heavy modifications to incorporate Israeli electronics and weapons systems, and the F-35 will be no exception. The US has allowed the Israelis access to the F-15 and F-16's software after development was complete, and Snir is confident the F-35A's computers will not be an issue. He reiterated that there was "no dispute with the US that IAF F-35s would include Israeli communications and electronic warfare technologies and missiles developed by Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd."
Israel is also reportedly considering several near-term IAF procurements, including a possible buy of 6 C-130J Hercules transports plus associated support & equipment at a cost of about $500 million, as well as a $100 million upgrade of Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters to extend their operational lifespan by 20 years.