The farce of the Israeli “Air Force One” may end soon.
A decision is expected soon that will bring the Israeli prime minister and president to use the aircraft or abandon the idea that was initiated while the former government was in power. The modified aircraft is dubbed “Wings of Zion.”
Earlier this week, current Israeli Prime Minister Naftaly Bennet faced increasing pressure to decide whether he would use the aircraft. So far, he has rejected the idea and used leased aircraft from Israeli airlines for official flights abroad.
In 2016, when Benjamin Netanyahu was in power, a decision was made to use an official aircraft that the prime minster and president would use. The conversion work was performed by Israel aerospace industries (IAI) Israel’s largest aerospace company. Sources said that the aircraft purchased in the market has been rebuilt with most of its critical parts replaced.
The special systems that have been installed in the Israeli “Air Force One” have brought the price of the project to more than US$180 Million. The initial budget of about US$100 million was supposed to cover the purchase of the aircraft and its conversion for the mission. But as the conversion progressed, some extra demands were added, resulting in the project overrunning its estimated cost.
The conversion of the 767-300 included the installation of the Elbit Systems MUSIC system that protects the aircraft from shoulder launched missiles and other systems. Most of the Special Systems installed in the aircraft are classified, with sources saying that they are aimed at allowing the aircraft to function as a flying “Command Post” even in harsh conditions created by “emergencies.”
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