Officials said JSF procurement was a leading subject in discussions
between visiting Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Pentagon in June 2010.
They said Barak was urged by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his senior
aides to sign a JSF procurement accord over the next few months.
As a result, the Defense Ministry has launched consultations on the
feasibility of ordering 25 JSF aircraft. Barak has headed the meetings,
which included Defense Ministry director-general Udi Shani, Chief of Staff
Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and air force commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan.
"Barak supports a formal deal, saying this is important for bilateral
relations," a military source said. "The military's argument is why should
Israel be the first foreign country to order the F-35 when even the
program's partners haven't done so?"
The Defense Ministry consultations were expected to continue throughout
July, with a decision expected by September. The Air Force has been an
advocate of procuring the F-35, but the Ministry has sought technology
transfer, offsets and the installation of Israeli electronic warfare and
other systems. So far, the Pentagon has refused to approve the Israeli
requests.
At this point, Lockheed Martin has not set the price of JSF, expected to
reach $150 million. The development program has been delayed by at least 13
months, which officials said meant that Israel would not receive the first
F-35s until 2016.
"At this point, the Americans are making no commitments," the official
said. "Their answer to everything is 'Sign now and we'll have plenty of time
to discuss the details later.' "
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