The first (here) indicates that the Israeli Air Force is again looking at the V-22 for Special Forces use. The second (an earlier piece found here) shows that they studied it for two years and decided on the CH-53K.
No doubt the instability in the Middle East has caused a re-examination of capabilities. Make no doubt about it. Israel is slowing but surely getting back on a war time footing and making/planning buys to address current shortfalls.
But in a rare statement to the air force magazine, Maj Gen David Barki, head of the helicopter air division, said that the air force is considering future procurement of the V-22. "It is not included in the multi-year plan that will terminate next year. But one option that we consider for the future, is the V-22. This aircraft can give us operational capabilities that we don't have today."
Israeli experts say that the new interest in the V-22 is for fast deployment of Special Forces troops and medical evacuation.
I foresee more trouble in the Middle East, and for Israel in particular.
ReplyDeleteA democracy is complicated, and even a perfectly functioning one will fall short of expectations to some groups.
It's just fact.
Then there's the Arab world which just doesn't have the 'base' organization and culture to rapidly build a democratic ruling government supported by a complex, yet functioning civil bureaucracy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sound racist or demeaning in any way: when the Iron Curtain fell Eastern Europe had a heck of a time adjusting to the 'Free West', and they had the advantage of having some (communist) civil society/structure which could adjust. Plus they had the advantage that Western Europe (and especially Germany) had the time, loads of money and advice to guide them, all protected by the NATO umbrella.
Now, the Arab democratic revolutions just can't live up to expectations to the unemployed masses - the job is just too complicated and will take too much time.
Especially when you have to factor in issues like clan affiliations and religion.
Having tasted the power of (armed) revolution, digruntled radical groups will gain more influence and will undoubtedly blame Israel (and the West) for their misery, some way or other.
Afterall, it's always simpler to blame The Foreigners for one's own complicated troubles.
What the USA really needs is a V-22 the size of a C-130. The Air Force has TV commercials showing a VTOL C-17 Globemaster III doing disaster relief, why can't we really build something like that... We should already be in the prototype phase of vehicles like these, what's the hold up? Not to mention the commercial applications of a plane like that! Get er' done!
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