Four Hawks (F-16s) were sent to the U.S. on an Antonov aircraft as part of a deal to sell 29 aircraft from the Air Force Surplus • View the aircraft on their way to the U.S.
An Israeli "Hawk" plane
Photography:
Dudu Greenspan
The Ministry of Defense's Defense Export Assistance Division (SIBT) recently sold 29 F-16 "Hawk" aircraft, from the Israeli Air Force's surplus, to "TOP ACES", which provides enemy day services to the US Air Force.
The Israeli planes will be used as a "red squadron" to train American pilots and prepare them for battle.
The amount is estimated at tens of millions of dollars.
Photo: Spokeswoman and Information Department, Ministry of Defense
After lengthy negotiations, led by the Sibet and Air Force Division, Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Eshel signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to sell the aircraft to a company operating in the United States and Canada.
This will provide services on an enemy day for training by the U.S. Air Force.
The first four fighter jets were sent to the United States yesterday (Wednesday), in an "Antonov" cargo plane - the largest cargo plane in the world.
One of the planes has a particularly important history - it is one of the aircraft that took part in the attack on the reactor in Iraq in 1981.
This year will mark exactly forty years of operation.
This is not the first time American planes have been used for an enemy day.
For years, American companies have been training pilots using blue-and-white Kfir planes, after these were praised by IAI.
Kfir planes are considered to be extremely fast planes, which greatly aids the training of American pilots.
