Hagel: US arms improve Israel’s long-range strike ability
Hagel: US arms improve Israel’s long-range strike ability | JPost | Israel News.
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Monday, vowing that the US would continue to help Israel maintain its military qualitative edge in the region, particularly in the air, by providing the Jewish State with the means to carry-out long-range strikes.
Hagels’ comments came as he finalized an arms deal that will enable Israel to improve its long-range strike, aerial patrol and troop transport capabilities.
The arms sale included V-22 Osprey aircraft, refueling tankers, advanced radars for fighter jets and anti-air defense missiles.
Hagel, speaking at a joint press conference with Ya’alon, stated that the US was providing to Israel military equipment “that we have not given to any other country.”
Hagel stated that the US military aid would “ensure Israel’s air superiority in the future and allow the Israeli Air Force long-range capabilities.”
Ya’alon for his part thanked the US for its support, saying that the countries share security information and intelligence.
He stated that while Israel prefers a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program, the IDF is prepared to defend itself by itself.
Israel Air Force pilots have begun training on the tili-rotor V-22 aircraft, which uses rotors to take off and land vertically before flying on missions as an airplane. It can match the speed of a Hercules and refuel from it during sorties. The V-22 will improve the IAF’s aerial patrol capabilities, and can also transport troops a considerable distance.
Israel also purchased the KC-135 military refueling plane, which will form a substantial addition to the IAF’s current fleet of modified Boeing 707 refueling aircraft, of which the air force is believed to have around 10.
The arms deal is part of a wider $10 billion package involving US sales to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, designed to provide Washington’s allies in the region with enhanced military capabilities against Iran. The UAE will take stock of 25 F-16 Desert Falcon jets worth nearly $5b.
Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
WarSclerotic 
April 22, 2013 at 2:02 PM
There is only one way to handle evil, send it to hell! It is written.
April 22, 2013 at 3:03 PM
This is a good thing. My only concern is how long will it take to get all that equipment in place and up and running.
April 22, 2013 at 7:42 PM
That is exactly what I asked myself.
Usually this stuff has first to be produced before it can be delivered (except for the fuel).
On the other hand during the Yom Kippur war the US delivered tanks, fighter jets etc. in the shortest possible time via air to Israel.
Anyway I believe that the Israeli planning does not depend on these goodies because they have been planning now for years and that plans do not include this stuff. Anything else would be suicidal. I think this is more of signal to Iran that the US means business and that it is giving Israel the green light and that it is now willing to support an Israeli attack.
I also asked myself what changed the US-attitude so quickly.
Maybe the show that the North Korean madman put on brought them finally to their senses.
Be it as it may, this a welcomed, positive development for a change.
April 22, 2013 at 10:17 PM
“DEBKAfile’s military sources report that this arms package will take years to deliver. “….oh well.
April 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Israel has prepared the Iranian operation like it can be conducted in a manner of minutes, with all the pawns, king and queen in place, for a mat attack against the Persian king. The new equipment is non relevant should the leadership in Israel decide that an action is needed now. In the long run its good that IDF has such capabilities for its long military arm intervention.