Israel pays for additional F-35s

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 17 Mar 2017, 20:13

How will this story be spun by others above - gold into straw - a specialty of RumpleSweetmanSkin (graphic on request)...

Israel continues talks over additional F-15s
17 Mar 2017 Arie Egozi

"...In November 2016, the Israeli government approved the purchase of another 17 F-35Is, bringing to 50 the number of “Adir” strike aircraft planned for its air force.

The service has been evaluating a purchase of more F-15Is to maintain its desired mix of strike aircraft with the F-35 to satisfy future operational needs. Its initial requirement was identified as for 75 F-35s, but the need to replace the oldest examples of its Boeing-built fighter has become a high priority issue. Israel has operated the twin-engined type since 1976.

It has been decided that an evaluation of an advanced version of the F-15 should be completed before any additional F-35s are purchased. Israeli sources say ongoing talks with the US Department of Defense are related to a potentially 20- to 25-aircraft deal....

...Meanwhile, the Israeli air force in early March opened a dedicated maintenance training centre for the F-35I at Nevatim air base. The first such facility to be established outside the USA, this will support personnel training related to 25 different technical professions, the air force says. Israel requires line- and depot-level maintenance for the new type to be performed in-country, with only subsystems to be sent for support and repair overseas. Its air force took delivery of its first pair of Adirs last December."

Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... 5s-435303/

fang · by **fang** » 18 Mar 2017, 11:44

How will this story be spun others above - gold into straw - a specialty of RumpleSweetmanSkin (graphic on request)...

The IAF want eventually 75 F-35's (most of them A and probably few B) and 50 advanced F-15i (upgrading the existing and acquire another 25)
The upgrade process will include a new systems from the F-15SA such as AESA radar and local new systems.

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 18 Mar 2017, 20:41

I think that their biggest impetus for updated F-35s is to have the US pay for it.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 19 Mar 2017, 17:02

Here's where I'm confused..

They want 75 F-35's, and more "advanced" F-15's. I'm guessing the F-35 is going to be their primary strike bird. Reasons being the obvious (stealth) but also has the legs and sensors. The "advanced" F-15's I've seen flying look to be Super Strike Eagles, ala Saudi Arabia's F-15SA's. So... two strike birds? Doesn't make sense to me, doubly so given their F-16's are strikers too.

So perhaps they'll use these "advanced" F-15's in that 16 AAM loadout, for homeland defense and beating back airstrikes?

quicksilver · by **quicksilver** » 19 Mar 2017, 17:34

Different 'factions' (whether they be part of a government or industry) often plant stories that support one position or another wrt future acquisitions.

As the acting SECAF and CSAF have said in recent days, new 4th gen anything are increasingly unattractive alternatives because it is clear that 4th gen capabilities are not competitive and the price point for F-35 is coming down. An F-15 is a large expensive aircraft.

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 19 Mar 2017, 22:29

F-35Is can "kick the door down" for the follow-on F-15Is and also provide better SA for the entire package.

The F-15I can also carry 5k bunker busters.

quicksilver · by **quicksilver** » 19 Mar 2017, 23:05

Why would a country pay more for the follow-on bomb truck than it would for the 'boot at the door,' particularly when they could turn the 'boot at the door' into a bomb truck with the addition of a couple pylons?

What's an FMS Eagle...120M?

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 20 Mar 2017, 07:54

New F-15I's would cost more than the F-35's. So, what would be the point??? My guess is Israel is really taking about upgrading a number of her newer F-15I's already in service to a New Standard. (2040C?)

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 20 Mar 2017, 07:56

Also, many seem to think the F-15I can carry a much larger external weapons load than the F-35A. Which, is not to the case at all....

hornetfinn · by **hornetfinn** » 20 Mar 2017, 11:51

Corsair1963 wrote:Also, many seem to think the F-15I can carry a much larger external weapons load than the F-35A. Which, is not to the case at all....

I've seen this countless times. I think it's because F-35 is said to replace F-16, F/A-18 and AV-8B, all of which have significantly smaller weapons load compared to F-15E variants. People don't seem to grasp the fact that F-35A and C are very close to F-15E in both payload and range.

botsing · by **botsing** » 20 Mar 2017, 12:03

SpudmanWP wrote:The F-15I can also carry 5k bunker busters.

Is there any plan/ability for the F-35 to also carry the 5k bunker buster? If not then we might have an answer.

hythelday · by **hythelday** » 20 Mar 2017, 13:37

botsing wrote:
SpudmanWP wrote:The F-15I can also carry 5k bunker busters.

Is there any plan/ability for the F-35 to also carry the 5k bunker buster? If not then we might have an answer.

Staition 3 & 9 are rated for 5000 pounds?

Might have more to do with sustaining capability now while Adirs are still few.

Dragon029 · by **Dragon029** » 20 Mar 2017, 15:38

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 21 Mar 2017, 01:42

Given that Israel has stated the desire to design & build large EFTs for the F-35s, they would take the same 5/9 station that a 5k bomb would so they could no be used together.

popcorn · by **popcorn** » 21 Mar 2017, 02:07

botsing wrote:
SpudmanWP wrote:The F-15I can also carry 5k bunker busters.

Is there any plan/ability for the F-35 to also carry the 5k bunker buster? If not then we might have an answer.

The future is HVPW.