Israel gets two 'F-16 A' planes

Israel on Wednesday received two "F-16 A" planes in the course of a deal it had bought including 1-2 planes from the USA.

The two planes landed in the air base in Matisbi Ramon in Negev amid a celebration attended by the Israeli defense minister Shaoul Mofaz and the air force commander Dan Hlouts. The other planes will be handed over within the next 10 years and will constitute the "spearhead' in the Israeli air force, according to heads of this section.

The plane which is at a cost of USD 45 million enjoys numerous capabilities including carrying out night fighting missions under any weather condition. It is called in the Hebrew language "Sova" which means the storm. This plane is provided by an extra fuel tank enabling it to fly for 1600 Km without being refueled.

Mofaz said "we know well that fighting for peace in the Middle East requires showing off power, in areas near and far from Israel." The Analyst in the Israeli military magazine ( Jane ) said that F-16 A plane gives Israel a strategic superiority against far away enemies like Iran."