Maariv: Israel is moving to implement the largest weaponization project under the so-called Sparta project
The Israeli Maariv newspaper revealed that the Israeli army is seeking to implement a broad armament plan that includes the purchase of advanced systems and weapons worth billions of dollars, at a time when Israel is facing financial and political challenges that impede its military ambitions, which are promoted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under what he calls the Sparta project.
The Israeli newspaper reported that the Israeli army aspires to acquire a series of advanced weapons, but has not yet identified the sources of funding for them, as part of its efforts to transform Israel into a fortified military force similar to the ancient Greek city of Sparta.
According to Maariv, the list of military purchases includes four aerial refueling aircraft, in addition to four other aircraft that were previously ordered and funded, in addition to two to three squadrons of F-15EX fighters, two squadrons of F-35 fighters, as well as at least four squadrons of Apache helicopters in its advanced version, and the completion of the purchase of one squadron of Sikorsky aircraft, with the expectation that this deal will be expanded in the coming years.
The armament plans also include support for the development of the Hitus 5 system, funding for surveillance satellites, and the purchase of ground forces systems, including Hummer vehicles, D9 bulldozers, Merkava tank engines, and spare parts for the maintenance of US-manufactured aircraft and missile ships.
In this context, Maariv pointed out that the Israeli army and its Ministry of Security are waiting to reach a new agreement on US military aid, with the aim of harmonizing the multi-year plan to build military power.
Israeli security officials were not surprised by Netanyahu’s recent statements to The Economist, in which he announced his intention to reduce dependence on US aid to zero over the next decade, as part of his repeated rhetoric about what he calls Super Sparta.
However, an Israeli official working in the field of arms acquisition confirmed that these statements aren’t new, explaining that about a decade ago, during negotiations with the administration of former US President Barack Obama, Israel stated its intention to reduce security assistance in the future.
However, the Israeli official said that Netanyahu’s statements are likely to be far from being implemented, noting that each arms deal needs about $2.5 billion, which makes the implementation of this approach unlikely even in the long term.
The report described the Obama-era military aid agreement, which allocated Israel about $3.8 billion annually for 10 years, which allowed Israel to acquire an extensive arsenal of weapons, including F-35 fighter jets, Iron Dome missiles, and the Heitz-3 interceptor system.
In return, the agreement-imposed US restrictions on Israeli military industries, which led to the closure of marginal factories and the transfer of production lines to the United States, as part of a commitment to joint development of military technology and to prevent competition between Israeli and US industries in global markets.
Maariv added that these restrictions prompted the occupation to search for alternative sources in the international markets to obtain missiles, optical systems, and spare parts for armored vehicles.
With the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip, in parallel with the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel realized belatedly that these markets aren’t open without borders, especially in light of a broad and protracted war, and with its increasing isolation from countries that were previously its allies.
Israel is still in dire need of US military support and is far from achieving economic independence that would enable it to build the army it aspires to, noting that the United States, in turn, sees the Israeli army as a major laboratory for testing and developing its military industries.
