The Israel Air Force One jet plane, which will serve the prime minister and the president in their travels around the world will cost $70 million. The plane will be built by an Israeli company and should be ready within a year.

However, the final cost of the plane is likely to be much higher as advanced avionics systems will also be installed as well as protection and communications systems. Because of the sensitivity of the venture, the Israeli miltary censor has only permitted publication of some of the new aircraft's details.

To date the Prime Minister's Office has leased planes for Benjamin Netanyahu and his entourage prior to overseas visits - an expensive practice which has often been severely criticised.

The decision to use a tender for the construction of a jet for the prime minister and president was taken following a recommendation by a committee headed Judge (emeritus) Eliezer Goldberg that also included former Israel Air Force commander Ido Nehushtan and accountant Iris Stark. They recommmended building a custom-made aircraft. The General Security Services were also involved in the process.

The members of the committee were persuaded that a personal plane to serve the Prime Minister would also be an appropriate option from a security point of view and noted that other heads of state had their own personal aircraft. The committee recommended that the plane would also be able to serve other important state figures. The same committee also recommended building a new combined Prime minister's Office and Residence

The company chosen to build the new aircraft will not only enjoy revenue worth tens of millions of dollars but also great prestige from a project, which will enhance its reputation worldwide.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 1, 2016

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