Features Military Operations
U.S. exports V-22 Osprey to Isreal

"We're committed to providing Israel with whatever support is
necessary for Israel to maintain military superiority over any state or
coalition of states and non-state actors," Hagel said Monday after
meeting today with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon in Tel Aviv.

Hagel
expressed the Obama administration's commitment to making sure Iran
doesn't acquire the capability to build a nuclear weapon. He said the
U.S. is coordinating its response to Iran with Israel and said economic
sanctions against the oil-rich nation are "potent, wide and deep."

The
weapons package that Hagel and Ya'alon discussed includes refueling
aircraft, anti-radiation missiles and advanced radar for jet fighters.
The Osprey, which takes off and lands like a helicopter, will improve
Israel's ability to conduct commando and rescue operations.

The
weapons will "ensure Israel's air superiority in the future and allow
the Israeli Air Force long-range capabilities," Hagel said, and Israel
is getting equipment "that we have not given to any other country."

The
Osprey, made by Fort Worth-based Bell and Boeing, is assembled in
Amarillo with many components manufactured in the Fort Worth area. The
companies have delivered approximately 230 V-22s to the U.S. military,
including the Marines and Air Force, Bell spokesman Bill Schroeder said.

"The
Bell Boeing team was pleased to learn that Israel views the V-22 Osprey
as a critical part of their future force structure and will become our
first international customer,'' Schroeder said. "Additional questions
should be addressed to the U.S. Dept. of Defense."

The U.S. provides Israel with weapons under the foreign military financing program.

Hagel
said the Obama administration "has ensured that Israel receives an
all-time high of $3.1 billion" this year under that program "despite
fiscal pressures."