(Jerusalem) Whilst the political elites in the West bemoan the cost and delays regards the F-35 stealth jet, pointing in the direction of cheaper aircraft in which to bolster their own political standing at the expense of the nation's security, Israel, that tiny little country which is the boogeyman to the billions of the world's Muslims, sees things a little differently. Seeing (as should the West) the proliferation of advanced anti-aircraft missiles systems amongst its neighbours (Egypt/Syria/Lebanon), they have realised that in order not to repeat the mistakes of the Yom Kippur War when in 19 days the IDF lost 102 aircraft, primarily due to Soviet anti-aircraft missile systems, they need to be able to counter them. Which is why they signed up to the F-35 program from an early stage, with 33 jets ordered. Well, this weekend they have just agreed to an additional 17, bringing their total purchase to 50.
