Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has again been urged to re-assess the procurement
of the Joint Strike Fighter from the United States.

Israel’s leading think tank has warned that the F-35 fighter-jet ordered
by the Air Force was a flawed platform that might not be able to outperform
existing aircraft. The Institute for National Security Studies raised the
prospect that Israel should delay procurement until the JSF concludes
development.

“Is it not a good idea to postpone the purchase of the F-35 until the
coming decade, and in the meantime invest the money in different weapons systems?” the institute asked in a report.

Titled “More Trouble for the F-35?” report author Yiftah Shapir warned that Israel might be forced to pay up to $160 million for a deficient F-35. Shapir, a leading researcher and senior reserve officer, said many of the 20 F-35s ordered by Israel and expected to be delivered by 2018 would not have completed development tests.

“In exchange for a $140-160 million price tag per plane, the Israel Air Force will take delivery of planes that are not yet certified to carry any
sort of weapon systems, are not certified for the entire flight envelope,
and will almost certainly have to be upgraded to repair flaws that will only
emerge during later flight tests,” the report said.

In September 2010, Israel signed a Letter of Acceptance for 20 F-35s for
$2.7 billion, financed by U.S. military aid to Jerusalem. The Jewish state,
not a partner in the JSF program, has been the only foreign country to order
the fifth-generation aircraft from Lockheed Martin.

Shapir cited a U.S. finding that 700 changes would be required for the
F-35, repairs that could take years. Among the problems cited were the
pilot’s helmet-mounted display system, integrated power package and fuel
dump system.

“Were Israel to buy the fighter jets with Israeli taxpayer money, it is
certainly a question whether the acquisition of the F-35 is a worthwhile
deal at this stage,” the report said. “Fifth-generation planes would
certainly improve capabilities, but does a possible postponement in
acquisition seriously affect Israel’s response to the new threats?”

The report urged Israel to consider the integration of JSF technology on
the Air Force’s current fighter-jet fleet, comprised of the F-15 and
F-16. The Israel Air Force has already launched upgrades of the F-15 and
F-16.

“While such upgrades will not turn the enhanced planes into fifth
generation fighters, they will certainly improve their capabilities to
confront the new threats,” the report said.

  $140-$160 million per plane, Institute for National Security Studies, Israel Air Force, Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin, Think tank urges Israel to re-think purchase of ‘flawed’ F-35s