Zitat:IAF to upgrade old F-16 fighter jets

Move follows worries of delayed delivery of F-35 planes; pilots of "Barak" aircraft to be equipped with helmet system which enables them to aim weapons simply by looking at their targets.

Amid growing concern that delivery of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be delayed, the Israel Air Force is moving forward with a new upgrade program for its older F-16 fighter jets.

The decision to begin the upgrades on the F-16 C/D models – called “Barak” in the IAF – began in 2010 with the installation of new avionics and a new mission-debriefing system.

Zitat: 'Israel to ask for military facility in Cyprus'

Netanyahu could make request during February Cyprus visit; Cypriot media says talks currently at 'exploratory stage' regarding use of Paphos base; Israel might want facility to defend growing natural gas resources.

Zitat:IAF looking for second stealth fighter squadron

The Israel Air Force is moving forward with plans to purchase a second squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and hopes to be able to place the order in the coming year and after resolving the standoff with the Treasury over the defense budget.

According to initial plans, the IAF would place the order for the second squadron in late 2012-early 2013 and begin receiving the planes in 2020. It is possible however that the US would attach the new squadron to the one ordered in 2010 and expedite the delivery if the order is placed soon.

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In recent years, the IAF has invested in qualifying some of its older model aircraft for long-range strike missions. In addition to the F-15I and F-16I, the IAF has reportedly already qualified an additional two F-15 squadrons for long-range missions armed with smart bombs and conformal fuel tanks.

The IAF is also moving forward with the Barak 2020 program aimed at extending the lifespan of its F-16 C/D models to the next decade.

Zitat: U.S., Lockheed Martin reach deal on Israeli F-35 fighter jets

The Pentagon has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp on a $450 million program to enhance electronic warfare equipment on the F-35 fighter jet, and integrate Israeli-unique systems beginning in 2016, sources, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

The deal, to be finalized in coming weeks, marks a big step forward for Israel's $2.75 billion agreement to buy 19 F-35 jets, which was signed in October 2010 and includes options for up to 75 of the radar-evading fighters.

"This agreement kicks off the Israeli program," said one of the sources, who was not authorized to speak on the record. "Now all of the agreements are in place."

Zitat:US defense law to equip Israel with refueling jets

Legislation aiming to enhance US-Israeli security cooperation was more than an attempt by Obama to upstage Romney; it allows Israel to buy equipment that could facilitate Iran strike

The legislation, knowns as the "United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012," allows Israel to purchase American KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft for the first time. Thus far, the Bush and Obama administrations refused to sell planes of this kind to the Jewish state, primarily in order to bar it from launching a massive aerial strike on Iran.

But the road between the ratification of the legislation and an actual deal to buy or lease such planes is still long; it could be years before Israel gets its hands on such equipmnet. Nevertheless, the law has been put in place, and now the time has come to find funding and agree on the technical details.

The legislation, which provides for special aerial armament, is also likely to allow Israel to acquire bunker buster bombs, a privilege previously denied by the Bush Administration. Israel has also asked for cruise missiles, but as of yet it remains unclear whether this request will be granted. Moreover, the bill does not explicitly address Jerusalem's request for satellite technology that can be used for intelligence purposes and to obtain real time missile warnings.

Zitat:Israel unterzeichnet Vertrag für 30 M-346 Trainer

Alenia Aermacchi hat einen zweiten Exportauftrag für seinen Fortgeschrittenentrainer erhalten. Die Lieferungen sollen Mitte 2014 beginnen.
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KS 19.07.2012

Zitat:Israel unterzeichnet Vertrag für 30 M-346 Trainer

Alenia Aermacchi hat einen zweiten Exportauftrag für seinen Fortgeschrittenentrainer erhalten. Die Lieferungen sollen Mitte 2014 beginnen.
...

KS 19.07.2012

Zitat:Sudan accuses Israel of role in arms factory blast

Four military planes attacked an arms factory in Khartoum where there was a huge fire overnight, a Sudanese minister said on Wednesday, blaming Israel for the air strike.

"Four military planes attacked the Yarmouk plant," Information Minister Ahmed Belal Osman told reporters in Khartoum, adding the planes appeared to approach the site from the east.

Senior officials in Jerusalem refused to comment on Israel's possible involvement in the incident.

Zitat:Sudan accuses Israel of role in arms factory blast

Four military planes attacked an arms factory in Khartoum where there was a huge fire overnight, a Sudanese minister said on Wednesday, blaming Israel for the air strike.

"Four military planes attacked the Yarmouk plant," Information Minister Ahmed Belal Osman told reporters in Khartoum, adding the planes appeared to approach the site from the east.

Senior officials in Jerusalem refused to comment on Israel's possible involvement in the incident.

Zitat:Jerusalem officials refuse to comment on Israel's possible involvement.
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In 2009, a convoy carrying weapons in northeastern Sudan was targeted from the air, killing dozens. It was widely believed that Israel carried out the attack on a weapons shipment headed for Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel never confirmed or denied that.
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Zitat:Jerusalem officials refuse to comment on Israel's possible involvement.
...
In 2009, a convoy carrying weapons in northeastern Sudan was targeted from the air, killing dozens. It was widely believed that Israel carried out the attack on a weapons shipment headed for Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel never confirmed or denied that.
...