Israel to ask US for new cutting-edge jets

[Gromit]

After the announcement of the $10billion arms deal for the US to sell weapons to Saudia Arabia, Israel is now asking to purchase the F-22 - a US-developed fifth generation stealth fighter jet.

"US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, defense officials told the Jersulalem Post that Israel would ask to receive the aircraft in order to retain its "military edge" in the Middle East.

Israel is particularly worried about the planned sale of advanced air systems that would vastly upgrade the striking ability of Saudi warplanes, some of which could be stationed just several hundred kilometers from Israeli airspace.

Light the blue touchpaper and stand well back...

[youngmafbog]

Is it the Saudi's they fear really? I would have thought they had more problems with the Iranians who have vowed to remove them from the map.

[Lonnie]

Problemis, Israel has to maintain an edge, if it is going to survive, but maybe i'm biased.

[The G-Man]

If it's good enough for Peter, it's good enough for Paul - why should Israel be allowed 'an edge'? I don't agree with Iran having nukes because they're bent on upsetting the apple cart - however we're not talking about nukes here and we're not talking about Iran.

The Saudis are relatively stable and if they want jets and can pay for them then good for them.

I see no reason why Israel has some divine right to the latest weaponry - they're more than willing to waste innocent lives and be needlessly aggressive as seen in Lebanon last year.

If they have a powerful enemy with powerful weaponry to keep them in line it's great.