U.S.-Israel C-130J agreement now awaits 'political decision'
WASHINGTON — Israel and the United States have signed an agreement
for the sale of the C-130J air transport to the Jewish state.
Officials said the U.S. Defense Department and Israeli Defense Ministry
concluded an agreement that would enable the sale of at least three C-130J
Super Hercules aircraft to Israel.
"There is a signed agreement," an official said. "The announcement
requires a political decision."
Under the accord, Israel would be able to purchase three C-130Js from
manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The agreement called for an option of another
six air transports for a total value of $1.9 billion. The Israeli request
for the Super Hercules had been approved by the administration of
then-President George W. Bush in 2007, Middle East Newsline reported.
The administration of President Barack Obama has refused to approve any
of Israel's military requests since it entered office in January 2009. The
Pentagon did not announce any weapons contracts to Israel over the last 14
months.
Israel was expected to receive its first C-130J in 2013, officials said.
They said the next step would be to sign a contract with Lockheed Martin, which has
been processing requests from such Middle East countries as Iraq, Oman and
Tunisia.
