The F-16I procurement was the largest defense deal in Israel's
history, at an estimated $4.5 billion. When the deal was signed, the
plane's chief contractor, Lockheed-Martin, committed to make $1.45
billion in reciprocal procurements, and already made $1.1 billion by
the end of 2003.
$600 million of the reciprocal procurements were channeled to Israeli
subcontractors of the F-16I
which the IAF has names "Sufa (Storm). When deliveries are completed,
the F-16I will constitute the majority of IAF combat jets, forming
the IAF backbone, along with the F-15.
The F-16I procurement was the largest defense deal in Israel's
history, at an estimated $4.5 billion. When the deal was signed, the
plane's chief contractor, Lockheed-Martin, committed to make $1.45
billion in reciprocal procurements, and already made $1.1 billion by
the end of 2003.
$600 million of the reciprocal procurements were channeled to Israeli
subcontractors of the F-16I.
The first two F-16I jets landed in Israel at the Ramon Israel Air
Force base in the Negev. The two planes flew from the
Lockheed-Martin plant in Forth Worth, Texas, and after a stopover
in Europe they will continued their flight to Israel.
Israel will receive 100 more F-16Is over the next five years. The IAF
will establish four squadrons of F-16Is, which the IAF has names
"Sufa (Storm). When deliveries are completed, the F-16 will
constitute the majority of IAF combat jets, forming the IAF backbone,
along with the F-15.