Israel gets new F-16I fighter/bomber

[tinnypriv]

Israel gets new F-16I fighter/bomber
Jerusalem Post, 14 November 2003

Pilots 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.

...

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.

...

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.

...

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1068697370721&p=1008596981749

...

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.

[everythingsxen]

1. YES!

Israel needed a fighter/bomber so they could go after those e-vile terrorists... who are what.. across the street? :eyes:

[bluesoul]

2. Wow!

Cool B-)

[JailBush]

3. Texas

Israel's new jets rolled off the assembly line in TEXAS. How appropriate.

[mike_c]

4. now they can mow down Palestinian civilians more efficiently....

eom

[Forkboy]

5. Little Israel needs these planes

peace protests are breaking out.This is no time for weakness.Be glad.

[bluesoul]

7. LOL

Love your new style ;-)

[Forkboy]

8. I've seen the light of true progressiveness

and peace ain't it!

[Muddleoftheroad]

9. Peaceful?

Wow, those threats and that nuclear construction coming out of Iran are all meaningless, right?

[Forkboy]

10. Of course not!

Iran better watch out.Little Israel will not tolerate people having what she has! And Israel will die to keep from dying.I have that on very good authority!

[Muddleoftheroad]

11. Moral equivalency

Still reigns it seems.

Oh yes, the peaceful Arab world has never attacked Israel. Iran NEVER sponsors terror against Israel. Now, when they get nukes, they will NEVER lose one and give it to their terror buddies.

Oy.

[Forkboy]

12. You are right again Muddle

Those in the Arab world are never to be trusted under any circumstances!!!! They are a sneaky bunch and probably drink too much goat milk besides!! Or is that camel milk? Regardless,they are crazy bastards and no chances must be taken!

Only little Israel has the moral standing to determine who in the region does what.Iran has so much to gain by nuking Israel that no chances can be taken!

Others should be glad.

[Muddleoftheroad]

13. Oh, bunk

Give me a break.

There are a ton of people in the Arab world who DO want to destroy Israel. To deny it is to deny reality. And it doesn't matter whether Iran would gain a lot or not by nuking Israel, it still might well do so.

Hatreds run deep. To deny them is to deny reality.

[tinnypriv]

6. Ynet: ceremony in Texas is complete

Ynet just news flashed about a minute ago (8pm Israel Time) that the ceremony in Texas is complete and that Mofaz praised the "strategic co-operation between the US and Israel".

Also, the first aircraft will arrive in Israel on Sunday (flying from Dallas).

Israel will receive 102 of these aircraft in stages, progressively until 2008.

http://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/CdaNewsFlash/0,2297,L-2817835_184,00.html

[Lithos]

14. Dupe

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