Tel Aviv. The Israeli government has approved a US$9 billion budget for a huge arms deal with the US.

Now the Israel air force must make its priorities that will answer its operational requirements.
The alloted budget is aimed at purchasing a new heavy helicopter to replace the Israeli air force CH-53, the purchase of V-22 and of the KC-46 A. This is in addition to more F-35 and F-15 EX.

Priority will be given to the KC-46 A that will replace the current modified 707s used by the Israeli air force for aerial refueling missions.

Another priority area of purchase to be included is V-22 as Defense Minister Benny Gantz has asked to include the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey in the deal.

The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is high on the wish list of the Israeli air froce (IAF) Depth command.

The budget that was approved will also enable the IAF to acquire additional F-35 and the new version of the F-15, the EX, dubbed by the IAF as F-15 Israeli advanced (IA).

The new heavy helicopters will carry a price tag of about US$2 billion.

The additional F-35 will carry a price tag of about US$2 billion.

The F-15 EX will cost US$2 billion.

The V-22 will cost about US$1 billion.

The estimated price of the KC-46 A is US$1 billion.

All these are rough estimates based on the cost of the platform, the changes the IAF wants to be performed in the US and all and the infrastructure and spares.

The special weapon systems Israel wants to buy are priced at US$1 billion.

The approved budget will also be used to rebuild the stocks of the IAF special bombs and missiles. These arsenals have shrinked in recent years as result of the hundreds of attacks the IAF has performed against Iranian related targets mainly in Syria.

It is expected that the IAF will now submit its detailed acquisition numbers and priorities so that the orders in the relevant companies can be formalized.

-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist