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F-35 warplane. Last update - 23:17 22/05/2008 Israel asks U.S. for 25 F-35 warplanes, at $80 million a unit By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, U.S., Lockheed Martin Defense Minister Ehud Barak two weeks ago submitted a request to purchase 25 F-35 warplanes from the United States, at $80 million a unit. The request also stipulates an option to obtain 50 more such warplanes in the future. The defense minister also requested three to five C-130J planes, which are the most advanced model of the Hercules jets the Israel Defense Forces has been using for many years. Advertisement The decision to purchase the more updated models comes after two years of discussion, and was recently included in the framework of the IDF's multi-year plan, Tefen. According to the plan, Israel would acquire the first group of these fighter planes in 2014. Haaretz has learned that some senior defense officials have asked the Americans on multiple occasions about the possibility of supplying some of the planes even sooner than the target date, by mid-2012. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and the defense minister will make similar requests during their next visits to Washington. The F-35 warplane is manufactured by American defense contractor Lockheed Martin. It has advanced stealth capabilities, can strike planes and can intercept ground targets. In some formations, the plane can also take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. Lockheed Martin Vice President Bob Trice, who is visiting in Israel, said Thursday that U.S. government officials have informed the company of the request. He added that intends to assist Congress in any way he can during the approval process. The new Hercules plane is capable of carrying more cargo and can be operated by a smaller crew. It is equipped with advanced avionics and navigation systems, and costs $50 million to $60 million per unit. These planes will be supplied to Israel as part of the American financial aid package it receives. Lockheed Martin also manufactures the F-22 warplane, which is used by the U.S. Air Force. The F-22 is the most advanced warplane in the world and Israel has previously expressed interest in it. However, legislation in the U.S. Congress forbids the sale of the F-22 on the grounds that it would diminish the U.S. Air Force's advantage. Sources in Israel have expressed hope that U.S. President George W. Bush's recent visit to Israel would ensure the approval necessary to acquire the plane Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nuclear allegation Jimmy Carter says Israel has arsenal of 150 nuclear weapons. On penalty of death Rightist MK Eldad says those who give away Israeli land should get death penalty.   1.   "25 F-35 warplanes..." 16:53  |  Silvienne 22/05/08   2.   Why are we then SHOCKED when people in the region hate us? 16:58  |  American 22/05/08   3.   The Price You Pay 17:31  |  Cool B 22/05/08   4.   Lockheed Martin build the aircraft as apart of a consortium 17:55  |  Chris Linthwaite 22/05/08   5.   Linthwaite & American 18:05  |  George 22/05/08   6.   Peace through Strength 18:09  |  Proud Arab American 22/05/08   7.   80 million each? Put them on our tab 18:10  |  Natallie Durson 22/05/08   8.   #1 - You are a dingle 18:13  |  Rightster 22/05/08   9.   Jets ??? 18:18  |  Rob of melbourne 22/05/08   10.   Speaking for yourself obviously Natallie!!? 18:40  |  Michael 22/05/08   11.   To #7 - Natalie Boohoo 18:41  |  Yossi 22/05/08   12.   To #7 - Natalie Boohoo 18:41  |  Yossi 22/05/08   13.   Israel should also request B-2 `s 18:41  |  THE WARRIOR 22/05/08   14.   #3 Cool B 18:43  |  Boycott 22/05/08   15.   "Proud Arab American" - Who do you think perpetuates not 1 dem? 18:48  |  American SAM 22/05/08   16.   # 1 Here comes again Moron/salvine... 18:51  |  misha 22/05/08   17.   Iraqis need to see and hear what their occupier is doing 18:51  |  Listen 22/05/08   18.   The F-35 program 18:54  |  Mark Lincoln 22/05/08   19.   #5 George 18:55  |  Chris Linthwaite 22/05/08   20.   # 7 No, Fatmah, Israel pays 100% for its purchases of military... 19:03  |  misha 22/05/08   21.   Natallie: "...stupid and uninformed" 19:04  |  Vogelgryff 22/05/08   22.   collecting arms to rust 19:05  |  no kidding 22/05/08   23.   #1 Silvienne - Don`t worry so much 19:06  |  * BEN JABO 22/05/08   24.   #7 NUTallie 19:11  |  * BEN JABO 22/05/08   25.   Toys for the boys 19:18  |  jjvanka 22/05/08   26.   # 4 chris 19:19  |  Axel 22/05/08   27.   #7 Natallie 19:23  |  Cool B 22/05/08   28.   Getting the F22 would promote peace talks 19:25  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 22/05/08   29.   Cool B and "peace" 19:26  |  Marcus Ben-Yosef 22/05/08   30.   American 19:33  |  Louis 22/05/08   31.   Iran is the reason 19:38  |  sa 22/05/08   32.   To those who think the Arabs hate Israel because of its military 19:46  |  Mikey 22/05/08   33.   Delusions 19:54  |  Chopper 22/05/08   34.   # 9 misha 19:55  |  Axel 22/05/08   35.   # 10 Misha-- Don`t you feel ashamed that every 20:03  |  jaffar 22/05/08   36.   What can Iran produce to counter this??? 20:07  |  ScotGuy 22/05/08   37.   If US pays... 20:14  |  Greg 22/05/08   38.   You mean "China orders F-35 technology" 20:43  |  Kennedy 22/05/08   39.   Interesting link. Very, very surprising. 20:47  |  Kennedy 22/05/08   40.   #20 Marcus 20:55  |  Cool B 22/05/08   41.   Mark Klein 21:01  |  Mark Lincoln 22/05/08   42.   JJvanka 21:11  |  Mark Lincoln 22/05/08   43.   Nutty when you give Arabs a trillion a year at the pump 21:26  |  Genuine Tosefta 22/05/08   44.   A jobs program for America 21:46  |  Lori 22/05/08   45.   These will provide the answer to the arms race. 21:55  |  Mustafa Halil 22/05/08   46.   #7, Natallie... 22:03  |  Silvienne 22/05/08   47.   #15, Ben Jabo... 22:05  |  Silvienne 22/05/08   48.   F-35 22:14  |  P. J. Casey 22/05/08   49.   # 18 misha 22:39  |  Axel 22/05/08   50.   This is why Israel needs to stop flaunting international law 23:00  |  Jeremy Martin 22/05/08   51.   #47 Silvienne - It`s not just what I say that counts 23:50  |  * BEN JABO 22/05/08   52.   #37 Greg - Didn`t you know 23:53  |  * BEN JABO 22/05/08   53.   no problem 23:54  |  bri 22/05/08   54.   Israeli problems 00:09  |  Steve 23/05/08   55.   25 F-35 warplanes, at $80 million a unit 00:25  |  Steve 23/05/08   56.   do you want them gift-wrapped??? 00:46  |  wh 23/05/08   57.   America Just Say NO!!!!!!!! 00:53  |  Jack 23/05/08   58.   25 x 80 million! The option of x another 50!! 00:55  |  Maureen Ann 23/05/08   59.   #23Ben Jabo. "Israel will use them wherever when needed." 01:00  |  Maureen Ann 23/05/08   60.   It would be nice to see them flying over a 01:49  |  Scharker Yid 23/05/08   61.   #57 Maureen Ann - Just as soon 02:20  |  * EEN JABO 23/05/08   62.   AND WHO`S PAYING FOR IT? THE AMERICANS 02:58  |  VIPER 23/05/08   63.   #1, SILVIENNE, nope, on the surrounding countries 03:00  |  VIPER 23/05/08   64.   #59 Shtarker Yid 03:42  |  *BEN JABO 23/05/08   65.   #568 Jack - America won`t say no!! 03:45  |  * BEN JABO 23/05/08   66.   Wonderful news 04:59  |  Gordon 23/05/08   67.   Chris Lightweight 05:07  |  Theplaintruth 23/05/08   68.   Moron Bum lack of comprehension 06:21  |  Genuine Tosefta 23/05/08   69.   Israel asks U.S. for 25 F-35 warplanes 15:39  |  Ian 23/05/08   70.   #52, Ben Jabo - it does not matter 21:04  |  Greg 23/05/08   71.   #51, Ben Jabo... 00:17  |  Silvienne 24/05/08   72.   #69 Ian - London 02:19  |  * BEN JABO 24/05/08   73.   Star of David will make those aircraft stand out 02:20  |  * BEN JABO 24/05/08   74.   #70 Greg 07:11  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   75.   #70, Greg... 09:32  |  Silvienne 25/05/08   76.   #73, Ben Jabo.... 09:34  |  Silvienne 25/05/08   77.   #75 Silvienne - Try and understand 15:37  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   78.   Hello Again! 22:21  |  ballistic 26/05/08

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