Israeli Air Force

Israeli Air Force
IAF Official Shield.jpg
Founded 1948
Country Israel
Size ~750 aircraft
Part of Israel Defense Forces
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Aluf Ido Nehoshtan
Insignia
Flag Israel Air Force Flag.svg
Roundel IAF roundel.svgIAF Roundel Low Visibility.svg

The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האוויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as חיל האוויר, Heyl HaAvir, "Air Corps") is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded at the same time as the formation of the State of Israel. Its current Commander in Chief is Aluf Ido Nehoshtan.

Contents

History

IAF Avia S-199 in 1948
IAF Gloster Meteor in 1954
IAF Mirage III
IAF A-4
IAF CH-53
IAF Bell 206
IAF F-4 Phantom II
IAF IAI Kfir
IAF F-16B
IAF C-130
IAF Boeing 707 refueling F-15s
IAF AH-1
IAF UH-60
IAF AH-64D
IAF Eurocopter Panther

Early years (1948–1967)

Further information: 1948 Arab-Israeli War and Suez Crisis

Preceded by the Sherut Avir, the air wing of the Haganah, the Israeli Air Force was officially formed on May 28, 1948, shortly after Israel declared statehood and found itself under immediate attack. At first, it was assembled from a hodge-podge collection of civilian aircraft commandeered or donated and converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex-World War II combat aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199s (purchased from Czechoslovakia, essentially Czechoslovak-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 62 Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IXEs. Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries). Many of the first IAF's pilots in 1948 were foreign volunteers (both Jewish and non-Jewish) and World War II veterans, who wanted to collaborate with Israel's struggle for its independence. The IAF's humble beginnings made its first air victories particularly impressive and noteworthy.

Israel's new fighter arm first went into action on May 29, 1948, assisting the efforts to halt the Egyptian advance from Gaza northwards. Four newly arrived Avia S-199s, flown by Lou Lenart, Modi Alon, Ezer Weizman and Eddie Cohen, struck Egyptian forces near Isdud. Although damage was minimal, two aircraft were lost and Cohen killed, the attack nevertheless achieved its goal and the Egyptians stopped. The Avias were back in action on May 30, attacking Jordanian forces near Tulkarem, losing another aircraft in the process. The Israeli Air Force scored its first aerial victories on June 3, when Modi Alon, flying Avia D.112, shot down a pair of Egyptian Air Force DC-3s which had just bombed Tel Aviv. The first dogfight against enemy fighters took place a few days later, on June 8, when Gideon Lichtaman shot down an Egyptian Spitfire.[1] As the war progressed, more and more aircraft were procured, including Boeing B-17s, Bristol Beaufighters, de Havilland Mosquitoes and P-51D Mustangs, leading to a shift in the balance of power. By the end of the war in early 1949, the IAF had secured air supremacy over Israel,[2] one that has not been seriously challenged since.

The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh, Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis. At the launch of the operation, on October 29, Israeli P-51D Mustangs severed telephone lines in the Sinai, some using their propellor blades[2], while 16 IAF DC-3s escorted by fighters dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur.

During the 1950s, France became a major supplier of warplanes to Israel, but relations between the two countries deteriorated just before the Six-Day War, when France declared an arms embargo on Israel. Consequently, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) significantly increased its aircraft and weapons production (initially based on the French models) and Israel switched to the United States as its principal supplier of military aircraft.

The Six-Day War

Main article: Six-Day War

In three hours on the morning of June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six Day War, the Israeli Air Force executed Operation Focus, crippling the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war. In a surprise attack, the IAF destroyed most of the Egyptian Air Force while its planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day, with surrounding Arab countries also drawn into the fighting, the IAF had mauled the Syrian and Jordanian air forces as well, striking as far as Iraq. After six days of fighting Israel claimed a total of 452 Arab aircraft destroyed, of which 49 were aerial victories.

The War of Attrition

Main article: War of Attrition

Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the War of Attrition, hoping to prevent Israel from consolidating its hold over the lands captured in 1967. Israel's goal in the fighting was to exact heavy losses on the opposing side, in order to facilitate a ceasefire. The Israeli Air Force consequently undertook repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory and repeatedly challenged Arab air forces for aerial supremacy, all the while supporting operations by Israel's ground and naval forces. On July 30, 1970, the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots — five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By its end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while admitting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters. Notable operations of the War of Attrition include:

Yom Kippur War

Main article: Yom Kippur War

During the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the Israeli Air Force shot down 277 enemy warplanes, accounting for over a third of the IAF's total kills since 1948, but at the price of 53 pilots and over 100 of its own aircraft (104 according to Israel, 180–200 according to some western sources, 280 according to Soviet estimates[3]). The IAF suffered heavy losses mainly due to the introduction of new Soviet air defense equipment and doctrine: medium range SA-6 mobile SAM batteries and point defence provided by short range Shilka radar guided SPAAG and SA-7 Strela MANPADS (employed by Egyptian infantry), advancing with the mechanized forces and covered by older but longer range and still very dangerous SA-2 and SA-3 anti aircraft missile batteries. Nevertheless, throughout the war, the IAF managed to assist IDF ground forces, and kept up strikes on targets in Syria and Egypt.

One of the first encounters of the war was the Ofira Air Battle, involving two Israeli Phantoms versus 28 Egyptian Mig-17s and Mig-21s, and resulting in 7 downed Egyptian planes and disengagement of the rest. On October 9, 1973, two F-4 Phantom quartets attacked and destroyed the Syrian General Staff Headquarters in the heart of Damascus, damaging Syrian Air Force Headquarters as well. During the war, IAF helicopters proved to be highly useful in the logistic and MedEvac roles.

Growth (1973–82)

Ever since the Yom Kippur War, most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Among these are the F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and E-2 Hawkeye. The Israeli Air Force has also operated a number of domestically-produced types such as the IAI Nesher, and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir, which were unauthorised derivatives of the French Dassault Mirage 5 (Israel bought 50 Mirage 5's from Dassault Aviation, but these were not delivered due to the French embargo emposed following the Six Day war). The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful US engine, produced under license in Israel.

In 1976, IAF C-130 Hercules aircraft participated in Operation Thunderball, the rescue from Entebbe, Uganda, of the hostages of Air France flight 139.

Bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor

Main article: Operation Opera

On June 7, 1981 eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets carried out Operation Opera (also referred to as Operation Babylon or Operation Ofra) to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities of Osiraq. Among the pilots that took part in the attack was the late Colonel Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut. The planes returned to Israel very low on fuel.

1982 Lebanon War and its aftermath

Main article: 1982 Lebanon War

Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War, Syria, with the help of the Soviet Union, had built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley. On June 9, 1982 the Israeli Air Force carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19, crippling the Syrian air defence array. In subsequent aerial battles against the Syrian Air Force, the IAF managed to shoot down 80 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air to air combat. IAF AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles and other ground targets, including some T-72 main battle tanks.

In 1986 an IAF F-4 Phantom, piloted by Captain Aharon Achiaz, was inadvertently damaged midair and abandoned, resulting in the capture of flight navigator then-Captain Ron Arad by the Lebanese Shi'ite militia Amal. To this day, the whereabouts of Arad has not been disclosed by his captors.

For many years after the war's official end, and throughout Israel presence in Lebanon, IAF AH-1 Cobras continued to mount attacks on Hezbollah and PLO positions in south Lebanon.

Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

On October 1 1985, In response to a PLO terrorist attack which murdered three Israeli civilians in Cyprus, the Israeli air force carried out Operation Wooden Leg. The strike involved the bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, by F-15 Eagles. This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, a stretch of 2,300 kilometers, involving in-flight refueling by an IAF Boeing 707. As a result, PLO headquarters and barracks were either destroyed or damaged.

High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

IAF F-15Is during Red Flag
IAF-16Is during Red Flag
IAF Gulfstream G500
An Israeli F-16 prepares to strike enemy targets during the Gaza War

Many of the IAF's electronics and weapons systems are developed and built in Israel by Israel Military Industries, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit and others. Since the 1990s, the IAF has upgraded most of its aircraft with advanced Israeli-made systems, improving their performances. In 1990 the IAF began receiving the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship and started equipping its aircraft with the Rafael Python 4, Popeye and Derby missiles.

During the first Gulf War of 1991, Israel was attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles. Israeli Air Force pilots were on constant stand-by in their cockpits throughout the conflict, ready to fly to Iraq to retaliate. Diplomatic pressure as well as denial of IFF (Identify Foe or Friend) transponder codes from the United States, however, kept the IAF grounded while Coalition air assets and Patriot missile batteries supplied by the U.S. and the Netherlands sought to deal with the Scuds. In 1991, the IAF carried out Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

In the late 1990s, the IAF began acquiring the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) and the F-16I Sufa (Storm), two of the most advanced variants of the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, manufactured specially for Israel according to IAF requirements. The first of 102 F-16I Sufas arrived in April, 2004, joining an F-16 fleet that had already been the largest outside the US Air Force. The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile Rafael Python 5, with full-sphere capability, as well as a special version of the Apache Longbow, designated AH-64DI or Saraph. In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received modified Gulfstream V jets ("Nachshon"), equipped with advanced intelligence systems made by Israel Military Industries.

The Israeli Air Force took an extensive part in IDF operations during the al-Aqsa Intifada, including the controversial targeted killings of Palestinian militant leaders, most notably Salah Shakhade, Mahmoud Abu-Hunud, Abu Ali Mustafa, Ahmed Yassin, Adnan al-Ghoul, Jamal Abu Samhadana and Abed al-Aziz Rantissi. While this policy is criticized due to the collateral damage caused in certain instances, Israel claims it is vital in its fight against terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties, including aborting strikes.

2006 Lebanon War

Main article: 2006 Lebanon War

The IAF played a critical role in the 2006 Lebanon War by leading the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. These strikes – mainly, though not exclusively, in southern Lebanon – were aimed at stopping rocket launches by Hezbollah's militia targeting Israeli towns. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war. The most notable mission, taking place during the second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 Iranian-supplied medium- and long-range missile launchers in just 34 minutes[4]. Widespread condemnation followed the July 30 IAF airstrike on a building suspected to be a militant hideout near the village of Qana, in which 28 civilians were killed. Hezbollah shot down an IAF CH-53 Yas'ur helicopter on the last day of the war, killing five aircrew members. Earlier, an IAF F-16I had crashed during take-off. Israeli aircraft also shot down three of Hezbollah's Iranian-made[5] aerial drones during the conflict.[6]

Recent activities and Gaza War

Main articles: Operation Orchard, Gaza War, and 2009 Sudan airstrikes

In September 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in Operation Orchard.

During Operation Cast Lead (2008–2009), Israel Air Force had a main role in destroying Hamas facilities and targets in the Gaza Strip, carrying out more than 2,360 air strikes until the end of the campaign.

According to a CBS news report, in January 2009 Israeli planes struck a convoy of trucks in Sudan that was headed for Egypt and carrying weapons apparently meant for the Gaza Strip. 17 trucks had been bombed and 39 smugglers had been killed in the strike.[7]

Pilot selection and training

IAF Grob-120A
IAF Super King Air B-200
IAF Fouga Magister

Thirty nine Israeli pilots have been credited with ace status, having shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft. Of these, 10 have shot down at least eight jet planes. The top ranking Israeli ace is Colonel Giora Epstein, who shot down seventeen enemy planes. Epstein holds the world record for jet aircraft shot down, and the most aircraft of any type shot down since the Korean War.

The selection process for IAF pilots can be traced to Ezer Weizman, widely considered the architect of the modern Israeli Air Force, and his aim of recruiting only "the best for pilots." His reasoning was that the skill and bravery of the ground forces would be for naught if they could be attacked at will from the air. As a result, only those thought to possess the innate ability to succeed as Israeli pilots are even invited to begin the training process, and only the most qualified succeed in completing what is seen by many as the world's most demanding military selection course.

Consequently, potential Israeli pilots are identified prior to reporting for national service at age 18, based on factors such as high grades in school and top scores on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and high technical aptitude. Those who meet these and other criteria are invited to participate in a six-day gibush (cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges. Recruits are screened not only for their ability to perform the tasks assigned, but for their attitude in performing them —such as how they take hardships and unexpected difficulties, how well they work in groups and how they approach problem solving and disaster management situations. As many as 50% percent of those who commence the gibush will be dropped from further consideration at its conclusion.

Those who pass the gibush embark on a three-year journey to earn their wings, which includes extensive flight training, infantry training, an officer's course, and studies towards an academic degree (a B.A. or B.Sc.). The prospective pilots are evaluated constantly, and the vast majority of those who begin flight training do not make it through the full program. Those expelled from the course will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit. (This depends to a large degree on the stage at which they leave the course.)

While in flying school, future pilots are sorted and assigned to train on different types of aircraft. Few become fighter pilots (considered by many to be the most desirable assignment), while the remainder learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.[8]

After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa, Alice Miller, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women. Miller passed her entrance exams, yet failed the medical tests and thus did not qualify[9]. The first female fighter pilot successfully received her wings in 2001 (several female navigators graduated before her).

While Israeli Arabs may volunteer to serve in the IDF, it is unclear whether they can seek air force training. In 2006, an Israeli Arab applied to be considered for the pilot program, but was not accepted.[10]

Units and structure

Structure of the IAF
Map of IAF airbases
Israeli Air Force squadron emblems
The insignia of the Israeli Air Force is a blue Star of David on a white circle. This is usually painted in six positions – on the top and bottom of each wing, and each side of the fuselage. Squadron markings are usually carried on the tail fin.

Three IAF squadrons (150 Sqn, 199 Sqn and 248 Sqn), based at Sdot Micha, are thought to be responsible for Israel's surface-to-surface nuclear strike capability, maintaining a stockpile of between 50 and 100 Jericho II missiles. During 2008 Israel launched a programme to extend the range of its existing Jericho II ground attack missiles. [12] The Jericho-II missile is capable of sending a one ton nuclear payload 5,000 kilometers. [13] The range of Israels' Jericho II missiles is reportedly capable of being modified to carry nuclear warhead no heavier than 500 kg over 7,800 km, in effect making it an ICBM. [14] Some of the Jericho II missiles are based at facilities which were built in the 1980s. [15]. The Jericho III ICBM, became operational in January 2008 [12][16] and some reports speculate that the missile may be able to carry MIRVed warheads.[17] The maximum range estimation of the Jericho III is 11,500 km with a payload of 1000–1300 kg [18][19] and its accuracy is considered high.[20] In January 2008 Israel has carried out the successful test launch of a long-range, ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead from the reported launch site at the Palmachim air base south of Tel Aviv.[21] Israeli radio identified the missile as a Jericho III and the Hebrew YNet news Web site quoted unnamed defence officials as saying the test had been "dramatic"[22][23] and that the new missile can reach "extremely long distances," without elaborating.[24]. Soon after the successful test launch, Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, a retired army general and Tel Aviv University professor who is now an MP, told Israeli Channel 2 TV:

"Everybody can do the math and understand that the significance is that we can reach with a rocket engine to every point in the world"[25]

List of IAF Commanders

Ido Nehoshtan, the current IAF commander.

Aircraft

Current

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service (Aviationweek) In service
(INSS / IISS)		 In service (Aeroflight) In service (Flightglobal)
Fighter aircraft
Boeing F-15 Eagle  United States air superiority fighter F-15A "Baz"
F-15C "Baz"
F-15B "Baz"
F-15D "Baz"		 20[26]
11[26]
6[26]
6[26]		 27[27]
17[27]
7[27]
11[27]		 38[28]
16[28]
6[28]
9[28]		 F-15A/C:
42[29]
F-15B/D:
16[29]
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle  United States strike fighter F-15I "Ra'am" 25[26] 25[27] 24[28] 25[29]
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon  United States mulitirole fighter F-16A "Netz"
F-16C "Barak"
F-16B "Netz"
F-16D "Barak"
F-16I "Sufa"		 59[26]
78[26]
14[26]
48[26]
87[26]		 90[27]
52[27]
16[27]
49[27]
101[30]		 88[28]
75[28]
16[28]
50[28]
102[28]		 F-16A/C:
161[29]
F-16B/D:
65[29]
101[29]
Trainer aircraft
Grob G-120  Germany trainer aircraft G-120A "Snunit" - 17[27] 17[28] -
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II  United States trainer aircraft T-6A "Efroni" - 20[27] - (20)[29]
McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk  United States ground attack TA-4H/J "Ayit" 49[26] 26[27] 25[28] 20[29]
Military transport aircraft
Boeing 707–320  United States heavy transport
aerial refueling		 707 "Re'em"
KC-707 "Saknai"		 4[26]
8[31]		 9[27]
4[27]		 7[28]
7[28]		 2[29]
5[29]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules  United States tactical transport
tactical transport
aerial refueling		 C-130E "Qarnaf"
C-130H "Qarnaf"
KC-130H "Qarnaf"		 8[26]
5[26]
3[26]		 5[27]
2[27]
5[27]		 8[28]
4[28]
4[28]		 C-130E/H:
11[29]
5[29]
Beechcraft Bonanza  United States utility A-36 "Khofit" 24[26] 22[30] 24[28] -
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States utility
utility		 B-200 "Tzofit"
B-200T "Tzofit"		 Total: 23[26] Total: 29[30] 4[28]
10[28]		 Total: 22[29]
Signals intelligence / Maritime patrol / AEW
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States maritime patrol
ELINT / EW		 B-200T "Kookiya"
B-200CT "Kookiya"		 Total: 23[26] Total: 29[30] 5[28]
3[28]		 Total: 22[29]
Beechcraft C-12 Huron  United States ELINT / EW
ELINT / EW		 RC-12D "Kookiya"
RC-12K "Kookiya"		 5[26]
2[26]		 Total: 29[30] 5[28]
2[28]		 7[29]
Gulfstream G550  United States SEMA
CAEW		 G500 "Nahshon-Shavit"
G550 "Nahshon-Eitam"		 3[26] 3[27]
(3)[27]		 3[28]
4[28]		 3[29]
5[29]
IAI SeaScan  Israel maritime patrol 1124N "Shahaf" 3[26] 3[30] 3[28] 3[29]
Helicopters
Eurocopter Panther  European Union naval mulitirole helicopter AS-565SA "Atalef" 5[26] 7[27] 5[28] 5[29]
Bell AH-1 Cobra  United States attack helicopter AH-1Q/S "Tzefa" 55[26] 33[27] 69[28] 43[29]
Boeing AH-64 Apache  United States attack helicopter AH-64A "Peten"
AH-64D "Saraph"		 37[26]
11[26]		 30[27]
18[27]		 30[28]
14[28]		 30[32]
17[32]
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion  United States heavy transport helicopter CH-53A "Yas'ur 2000"
CH-53D "Yas'ur 2000"		 6[26]
32[26]		 -
38[27]		 36[28] 29[29]
Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk  United States tactical transport helicopter UH-60A/L "Yanshuf"
S-70A-50/55 "Yanshuf"		 10[26]
38[26]		 49[27] 24[28]
24[28]		 50[29]
Bell 206  United States light transport helicopter 206B "Saifan" 9[26] - 12[28] 18[29]
UAVs
Elbit Hermes 450  Israel MALE Hermes 450 "Zik" + + + +
IAI Heron  Israel MALE Heron-1 "Shoval" + + + +
IAI Eitan  Israel MALE Heron-TP "Eitan" + + + +

Future

Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
Fighter aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II  United States stealth multirole fighter F-35I[33][34] 20 pending final approval (+ option for another 55)[35]
Trainer aircraft
Alenia Aermacchi M-346  Italy transonic jet trainer  ? 20–30 under evaluation[36]
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle  South Korea supersonic jet trainer  ? 20–30 under evaluation[36]
Military transport aircraft
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules  United States tactical transport C-130J-30 1 ordered (+ option for another 2)[32]
Helicopters
Sikorsky CH-53K  United States heavy transport helicopter  ? Pending evaluation[32]
UAVs
Elbit Hermes 450  Israel MALE  ? To be provided over the next three years.[37]
Elbit Hermes 900  Israel MALE  ? To be provided over the next three years.[37]

Historic

Missiles, bombs and satellites

Air-to-air missiles

Python 5 (front)

Air-to-ground missiles

Delilah missile

Bombs

Surface-to-air missiles

Arrow missile launch

Surface-to-surface missiles

Space Systems

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://ga-mysteryshopper.com/archives/1998/articles/jul_98/jul2a_98.html
  3. ↑ Hassan El Badry, The Ramadan War, 1973' p.153
  4. ↑ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/778485.html
  5. ↑ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=499935&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
  6. ↑ "Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon". Fox News. August 7, 2006. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207259,00.html. 
  7. ↑ "Report: IAF struck arms convoy in Sudan in January". Ynet. 2009-03-26. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3692507,00.html. Retrieved 2009-03-26. 
  8. ↑ Israel's Air Force, Samuel M. Katz, Motorbooks International (Osceola), 1991
  9. ↑ New York Times – Israeli Air Force Not for Her
  10. ↑ "IDF Says 'No' to Arab Pilot," yNetNews.com, Jan. 10, 2006
  11. ↑ http://www.iaf.org.il/Templates/ArtArch/ArtArch.IN.aspx?lang=HE&lobbyID=43&folderID=47&subfolderID=2196&docfolderID=2196&docID=28922
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Butcher, Tim (January 18, 2008). "Israel test-launches nuclear-capable missile". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1575947/Israel-test-launches-nuclear-capable-missile.html. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  13. ↑ http://www.supremelaw.org/authors/farr/farr.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/pblctns/prspctvs/200009-eng.asp
  15. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/israel/sedot_mikha.htm
  16. ↑ Nathan Hodge, Inside Israel’s (Possible) Strike on Iran. Danger Room What’s Next in National Security, April 2, 2009.
  17. ↑ Richardson, D., ‘Israel carries out two-stage ballistic missile launch’, Jane’s Missiles & Rockets, vol. 12, no. 3 (Mar. 2008).
  18. ↑ Study on a Possible Israeli Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Development Facilities, by Abdullah Toukan, Center for Strategic and International Studies, March 14, 2009.
  19. ↑ Missile Survey: Ballistic and Cruise Missiles of Foreign Countries, by Andrew Feikert, Congressional Research Service, Updated March 5, 2004.
  20. ↑ [1]
  21. ↑ [2]
  22. ↑ ‘Israel says carries out missile launching test’, Reuters, 17 Jan. 2008, [3]
  23. ↑ Katz, Y., ‘Israel test-fires long-range ballistic missile’, Jerusalem Post, 17 Jan. 2008.
  24. ↑ USA Today: Israel tests new long-range missile
  25. ↑ "Israel tests new long-range missile". USA Today. January 17, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-01-17-israel-missile_N.htm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  26. ↑ 26.00 26.01 26.02 26.03 26.04 26.05 26.06 26.07 26.08 26.09 26.10 26.11 26.12 26.13 26.14 26.15 26.16 26.17 26.18 26.19 26.20 26.21 26.22 26.23 26.24 26.25 26.26 26.27 26.28 26.29 26.30 "2009 Source Book: World Military Aircraft Inventory", January 26, 2009.
  27. ↑ 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 27.16 27.17 27.18 27.19 27.20 27.21 27.22 27.23 27.24 "The Military Balance 2010". Page 256. International Institute for Strategic Studies, 03 February 2010.
  28. ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 28.17 28.18 28.19 28.20 28.21 28.22 28.23 28.24 28.25 28.26 28.27 28.28 28.29 28.30 28.31 28.32 28.33 28.34 http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-mideast/israel/af/israel-af_current_inventory.htm
  29. ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 29.15 29.16 29.17 29.18 29.19 29.20 29.21 29.22 Flightglobal World Air Forces – December 2009
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 "The Institute for National Security Studies", chapter Israel, 2009, [4] June 17, 2009.
  31. ↑ http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/awst/2010/01/11/AW_01_11_2010_p22-194785.xml&headline=Israel
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/30/343883/israel-ditches-apache-upgrade-plan-commits-to-ch-53k.html
  33. ↑ http://www.defence-update.net/wordpress/tag/f-35i
  34. ↑ http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/awst/2010/08/23/AW_08_23_2010_p32-249396.xml&headline=Israel%20To%20Buy%20F-35s%20With%20Cockpit%20Mods
  35. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67T2JX20100830
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/21/332557/israel-eyes-m-346-t-50-for-skyhawk-replacement-deal.html
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000556244&fid=942
  38. ↑ http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.56/missile_detail.asp
  39. ↑ http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumsfeld/pt1_africa.htm
  40. ↑ http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/rl30427.pdf

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