The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is planning to call for the defence minister to include a ‘limited’ number of tilt-rotor Bell-Boeing V-22 aircraft in the final version of the multiyear spending plan of the Israeli Defence, according to a report.
According to Avio news, the proposed move has come after a group of Israeli pilots and technicians inspected the US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey in the US.
The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey is an US multimission, military, tilt-rotor aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities.
The aircraft will combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.
IAF is also planning to purchase a second squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
In October 2011, IAF purchased 20 F-35s which were valued at $2.75bn.
