Israel gets new F-16I fighter/bomber
Jerusalem Post, 14 November 2003Pilots of the newest F-16I long-range fighter/bomber which is to roll off the assembly line in Texas Friday are itchy to get their hands on the $45 million jet.
Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin delivers the first F-16I at its plant here Friday to an Israeli delegation led by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, fresh from his talks in Washington.
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The aircraft have been supplemented to Israel's specifications and are different from any other F-16, even in the service of the US Air Force. They are being paid for from the annual US military grants given to Israel, which this year stands at about $2.2 billion.
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With the arrival of the 102 F-16Is, Israel will have a total of 362 of the jets – the largest fleet in any country in the world behind the United States. The F-16s are the backbone of the IAF, but these new "I" models will give added punch to the long-range capabilities of the IAF and will complement the squadron of F-15Is Israel received in the end of the 1990s.
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BACKGROUND:
These new aircraft have special fuel tanks giving an extended range of 1,500km circular around Israel. This puts Iran and Libya within range of attack.
A former IAF commander said last night: "our neighbors should know that if they have any thoughts about reaching us, they should know we can reach them" (
Israeli Channel Ten, cited by Ariga)
Also, Yediot Aharonot reported today that Israel has specifically "warned Syria" by carrying out military exercises on its northern border. These exercises apparently were in part based on a possible incursion into Lebanon. Yediot also says military intelligence is warning of possible Hizbollah attacks.
In addition, Ma'ariv reported on Oct 7 that Shaul Mofaz has been "drawing up additional targets in Syria" (following the Israeli bombing attack), and Israel has communicated a threat to Assad that his "regime is in danger". The IAF also "buzzed" a presidential palace several weeks ago, for intimidation purposes.