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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Report: No bunker-buster bombs in Israel-US weapons deal
2013-04-24
[Ynet] NYT reports differences in stance of Israel, Washington regarding attack on Iran: weapons system capable of hitting underground bunkers not included in deal. Netanyahu advisor: Difference of views... re-emerging
In other words, refueling vehicles so the bombers can get to Iran, but nothing effective to drop when they arrive on target. Bibi, may I suggest your clever designers and machinists make your own, post haste. I'm sure South Korea will be interested in buying as many as you are willing to sell, once you've taken care of your little Iran problem.
The deal signed this week between the US and Israel includes advanced weapons systems, but the interesting note is in the item left out of the deal, the New York Times
...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize...
 reported Tuesday.

The paper said that the Israeli Air Force will not get bunker busting bombs which can pierce layers of cement at underground sites. These bombs are considered integral to a successful attack on Iran's underground nuclear facilities.

On Monday during his visit to Israel, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and his Israeli counterpart Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon emphasized their shared commitment to stopping Iran's nuclear program, also agreeing that it was preferable to break the stalemate via diplomatic measures.

But an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the NYT that a gap still existed between the two countries: "The fundamental difference of views on how much risk we can take with Iran is re-emerging."

The deal includes new refueling planes, combat plane radars, anti-radar missiles, V-22 Osprey transport plane-helicopters and advanced focused munitions bombs for the Air Force. On Sunday Hagel defined the deal as "a clear message to Iran."
Especially if bunker busters aren't included. Even this little suburban housewife understands that message, Mr. Secretary, though I lack the subtlety of the Persian.
But Israeli and American experts agree that the bunker busting bombs which were left off the list are the only ones which have a chance of striking underground sites such as Fordo. The weight of each bomb is 13,608 kg, their length 6.2 meters, and they are capable of hitting bunkers at a depth of 61 meters. Each bomb can carry up to 2,400 kg of kabooms.

Regardless, at this point the IAF does not currently posses jets capable of carrying the bombs. In order to transport bunker busting bombs, they would need to use B-2 Bombers, the planes which the US recently flew non-stop in an exercise from the US to the Korean Peninsula, in order to show North Korea that the US Air Force could indeed reach its nuclear bases.

During his visit, Hagel said that Israel had every right to defend itself.
...against the Palestinians and Egyptians, perhaps, but certainly not against the Persians.
He added that Washington and Jerusalem had the same goal -- to stop Iran from achieving nuclear capability. Hagel noted that there were differences of opinion between the Americans and Israelis regarding when and if Iran will decide to complete its nuclear bomb, but added, "Iran presents a threat in its nuclear program and Israel will make the decisions that Israel must make to protect itself and defend itself."
"And we will ensure that all of Israel's decisions are unenforceable."
In the past, the US had denied Israeli requests for bunker busting bombs. Senior US officials would not confirm to the New York Times whether the most recent negotiations included such a request. Instead, they emphasized that the deal included tanker jets that would enable the IAF to reach Iran, should that be necessary.

An Israeli request for such planes had been denied in the past, under the administration of former president George W. Bush.
Posted by:trailing wife

#2  Regardless, at this point the IAF does not currently posses jets capable of carrying the bombs. In order to transport bunker busting bombs, they would need to use B-2 Bombers,

I guess that might be a reason for no big 'uns too.
The Osprey buy is interesting, how many did they purchase?
Posted by: Shipman   2013-04-24 14:46  

#1  "But Israeli and American experts agree that the bunker busting bombs which were left off the list are the only ones only conventional ones which have a chance of striking underground sites such as Fordo."
</nitpick>
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660   2013-04-24 03:52  

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