The IDF has requested Apache attack helicopters from the Pentagon in recent weeks but the US has so far refused the request, Ynet reported on Tuesday morning.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant raised the issue in a discussion with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin during his visit to Israel last week.
Israeli security sources say that the US has yet to make a final decision on the matter and Israeli government officials are continuing to apply pressure.
Israel only has two helicopter squadrons. The helicopters have been operating around the clock in Gaza since the beginning of the war as well as in southern Lebanon and against Palestinian terror targets in the Shomron.
The workload of the two squadrons is so high that in a rare move, Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar was asked to authorize a recall of retired pilots, aged 54-55, to return to active duty. [The age limit for pilots of combat flights is 51.] In addition, older pilots, aged 55-60, were recruited for operational roles on the ground. Some pilots who lived abroad returned to Israel when the war began and resumed flying after taking refresher courses.
Despite the constant attacks on Israel by the Hezbollah terror group in southern Lebanon, the US and France continue to pressure Israel to avoid expanding the conflict into an all-out war.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
Same question I have in regards to Israel needing to ask the U.S. to restock their bombs and munitions:
It’s 50 years since Israel was held hostage by their need for resupply by the U.S. and Kissinger y’mach shemo in the Yom Kippur War. How is it that Israel hasn’t made itself self-sufficient for its defense needs? I understand that Israel doesn’t have the resources to develop it’s own F-35s. But could they really not build its own attack helicopters? And build the capacity to manufacture all the bombs and ammunition they need? Why does Israel need to grovel at the U.S.’s feet for everything?
And then they complain when the U.S. aid comes with strings attached.