US to upgrade Israel Air Force precision munitions

"Defense News": The tightening of defense ties, under a veil of secrecy, is unaffected by diplomatic spats between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government.

The US will upgrade the Israel Air Force's (IAF) arsenal of precision munitions. The IAF is in the final stages of procuring precision bunker-busting bombs following the broadening of military ties between Washington and Jerusalem, reports "Defense News" in its latest issue. The tightening of defense ties, under a veil of secrecy, is unaffected by diplomatic spats between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government.

At a series of meetings last week between Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, National Security Advisor Jim Jones, and other top US officials, the parties made an effort to keep disputes over Israeli settlements and negotiations with the Palestinians in the political sphere from spilling over into bilateral defense relations.

At a joint press conference by Barak and Gates at the Pentagon, Gates said," As President Obama has affirmed, the US commitment to Israel's security is unshakable, and our defense relationship is stronger than ever, to the mutual benefit of both nations." He added, "Our work together on missile-defense technology is ongoing, and the US will continue to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge."

Gates gave no details, but sources in Israel and in Washington told "Defense News" that Gates was referring to IAF plans for procuring next-generation precision bunker-busting munitions. Although the Pentagon told Congress about plans to sell the bombs to Israel years ago during the Bush administration, only now have the plans reached fruition with delivery on the horizon.

According to "Defense News", Israel will shortly bring the GBU-39 bomb into operational use with the F-15I "Thunder" squadron. This 250-pound precision-guided bomb can accurately hit a target in all weather conditions and penetrate more than two meters of concrete, according to the specifications of its manufacturer, Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and the US Air Force. The sale of 1,000 bombs was reported to Congress, as required by law, in 2008.

Israeli Ministry of Defense and defense establishment officials told "Defense News" that, in 2010 and 2011, the IAF F-15I and F-16I "Storm" squadrons will have GBU-39 bombs, which will give the IAF the ability to hit multiple targets more accurately with a single sortie, while minimizing collateral damage.

The IAF is also equipping its F-15I squadron with the GBU-28 2.2-ton hard target penetrator bomb, which can penetrate 30 meters into the ground, or crack a seven-meter concrete roof.

The Pentagon approved the delivery of 100 GBU-28s in 2005, after years of hesitation. It notified Congress of the delivery of 50 more bombs in 2007. US and Israeli sources told "Defense News" that the IAF has not yet procured all the bombs approved of both types, nor has it used them in reprisal air strikes, in order to keep them ready for possible use against Iranian nuclear sites.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 4, 2010

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010

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