Why doesn't the nation of Israel reach down into their pockets and buy these aircraft without relying on the US taxpayer to pick up the tab? Israel has a great economy and plenty of oligarchs like Sheldon Adelson to help pay for them. Then Israel wouldn't be beholden to the USA.

Aside from locally developed weapons systems, Israel has historically only procured systems already in production and service. Even the F-16, still new in 1980 when received, was already in service (and originally intended for Iran). Now Israel is committing to outrageously priced systems, some of which have yet to meet their design and performance targets, and none of which have proven themselves in the field. First they commit to the budget-busting F-35, now the V-22. In the meantime, training is being curtailed and the Israel navy has to expand its security envelope well into the Mediterranean to cover its new gas resources, but with little in the way of new systems. I detect a certain hubris here - that Israeli defense leaders, convinced Israel is a super-power, needs all the advanced systems of a super-power. (Some of us recall how much they used to accomplished when they had less and had to get creative.) And if Israel has to shackle itself in golden chains to its US patron to get it, then apparently so be it. I expected better from Ya'alon.

these weapons are not given to israel for free. israel is expected to fight muslim terror in lieu of america and the europeans.

...like the rest of us.

The aid does not come without strings attached, and dependence on it is starting to prove to be a liability. Better for Israel to wean itself off this rapidly drying up teat than to perpetuate the unhealthy status quo of being a Herodian client state.

military junk that we could invest in? With their huge leap forward it's bound to happen, they're smart people that learn fast. Americans are smart too,but are screwing themselves with bad Presidents & obesity...

There's a reason why the USAF calls the V22 "the Widow Maker". "Troubled" is an understatement. Hopefully this POS won't be sold to any of our allies, especially Israel.

$3 Billion per year for these Israeli parasites and what do we get in return? Huge debt, body bags, messed up veterans and no credibility. All due to a corrupt aipac bought and paid for congress. Who are these people working for? Certainly not Americans who voted them into office. Do not re-elect anyone who is on the aipac payroll. They work for Israel. They do not work for America or Americans.

Taxpayers in the U.S. will rebel against a pro-Israeli government. Expect this to help right wing Republicans in 2016 to get their candidate into the White House. One way or another, for Israel to WIN and get the armor requites cooperation in the process of signing a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

barack hussein obama seems to have learnt the lessons of his childhood rather well: it's always easier to pay with future promises than anything tangible. his presidency will end on (or before) february 2017, because that's american law. so by offering israel "goodies" in 2018, he's just kicking it down the road. and israel is taking a big chance on obama's successor, sight unseen.

A true friend would look at the economic situation of America and say we sympathize with you and will reject the aid. Israel has balls to request aid or expect aid when the US military is cutting back its own forces due to budget constraints. US military pilots are leaving in droves, despite being offered a $225,000 bonus and an average $10,000 month salary as being too low because of reduced flying hours and better offers from US air carriers.

I do believe that you may have forgotten your real name as it certainly is not Caroline Glick.... I am certain no one is fooled at your attempt on inflicting your nonsense and besmirching another's name.

Last time an dying piece of US technology landed in Israel straight from ER flight ( 64 bit Intel processor ) it flew back to US from Ben Gurion all new and shiny Nehalem. Forget Obama, forget politics. It's Israel where you are sending technology! This is a place where things only get better.

How do you figure? Did you not read the article? It is a LOAN. Israel is the only nation on earth that actually DOES pay for it's purchases. Why don't YOU wake up to the evil system you are cheerleading for? The US LOANS money to Israel on the condition it is spent to buy US goods. Thus, in fact, Israel is helping to prop up your sick economy, buying the most overpriced aircraft in history, at the price dictated by your system, AND PAYING INTEREST BACK on top of that. Who is beholden to who? Your country claims to help us, then deals with our enemies behind our backs. There is a saying about those who curse Israel. You should familiarize yourself with it.

it's been 'developing' for 20 years and it still falls out of the sky. Spend the money on other choppers with a better history. The US is begging someone to 'take these off our hands' - and Israel shouldn't be the one to do it.

Double the amount of anyone else in the program. Why all this sham about "US aid" when everyone knows, America make lousy products, when it comes to new inventions. We are good about investment, putting things in mass production, but America just as bad about inventions and new things require a lot of delicate, one off kind of jeweler mastery. Israel is the only country that will pay for our technology, through her nose, and than make it work well, at own expense, so that we can take it back. As far as partnerships go, Israel is our little buddy with golden hands and very humble head. If we could for once honestly say "American has aircraft that seems like a good idea, but we need help". Can Israel please pay for saving it, while paying for Americans to stay on there jobs. Who will die if we could at least try to be honest about our relationships with Israel...

and what does Israel get? More than 17,000 rockets fired from Gaza and, the PA 'premature ejaculation' of making the rounds of UN agencies for an abortive attempt to be 'recognized as a state' which, unto itself is hilarious, the PA has never won a war much less do they have any legal claim on Israel.. Israel is one of the only nations to repay her loans and, on time. The unique relationship the American law makers wrote dictates that 80% of the loans be spent on US defense industry jobs. No matter, KEEP BUILDING ALL OF ISRAEL !!!!

Israel never repays its loans. Loans to Israel are "paid" off with money from the next USA loan. Or the debt is written down. End result is you get the bombs, guns, aircraft etc. for free. The US taxpayer gets the bill.

Are you a working psyop or just plain delusional?

If you look at the complexity of this aircraft, it is a maintenance nightmare. If a helicopter is 100,000 parts flying in close formation, this aircraft is 200,000 parts colliding with each other and eventually the ground.

loans however, it comes with a price not worth the loan. KEEP BUILDING ALL OF ISRAEL FOR ALL OF THE WORLDS JEWRY.!!!!!

BUSY BUILDING HOMES FOR G-DS CHOSEN, BABY!!!!