Obama administration presses Israel to decide on Joint Strike Fighter
The Pentagon wants Israel to sign an agreement in 2010, regardless of the problems in the [JSF] program,” an official said. “Every time we meet, the Pentagon people make the JSF a key point in the discussions.”
Israel is under pressure to decide whether to procure the Joint Strike Fighter in 2010.
Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama has been urging Israel’s Defense Ministry to sign a formal agreement to purchase the F-35 fighter-jet. They said the Obama administration, particularly the Defense Department, has linked the JSF deal to strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States.
Officials said JSF procurement was a leading subject in discussions between visiting Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Pentagon in June 2010. They said Barak was urged by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his senior aides to sign a JSF procurement accord over the next few months.
As a result, the Defense Ministry has launched consultations on the feasibility of ordering 25 JSF aircraft. Barak has headed the meetings, which included Defense Ministry director-general Udi Shani, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and air force commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan.
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