The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has taken another step towards the purchase of the V-22. Recently Boeing representatives were in Israel and met with the IAF and IDF Ground Forces to understand the adaptations the Israeli want in the 12 V-22 they intend to purchase.
In August, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has issued a price & availability (P&A) request to the US Navy’s International Programs Office (NIPO) for the acquisition of the Boeing V-22 Aircraft.
This additional step in the long delayed acquisition of the tilt rotor, has been made after Lt. General Aviv Kochavi, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, decided that there is an operational need for 12-14 V-22 tilt rotor aircraft.
The decision about the acquisition of the V-22 has been delayed for some years, mainly because of conflicting reports made by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and the IDF’s ground forces command.
Recently, Lt. Gen. Kochavi made the decision to proceed. Israeli sources said that immediately after a new government is formed in Israel, the purchase of the V-22 “will be on the table”.
The decision of the Chief of Staff ended the debate about the operational need for the V-22. This aircraft according to the sources fits well to Kochavi’s strategy, to end future armed conflicts in the region with focused force and in the shortest possible time.
The Israeli adaptations are directly connected to this operational requirement
By Arie Egozi
With more than 25 years of experience in defence publishing, Global Business Press and its industry leading titles Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News are the leading defence publications in the region, present at more international shows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
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