"The F-35 Represents a New Operational Concept"

IAF Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Tal Kelman, spoke at the opening plenary session of the International Air conference in Tel Aviv. Kelman addressed the threats facing the State of Israel and the Middle East and said, "In our region, today's friend may be tomorrow's enemy"

"The F-35 Represents a New Operational Concept"

Brig. Gen. Tal Kelman (Photo: Shai Naveh)
 

"The F-35 'Adir' is not merely an aircraft, but it represents a new operational concept, and strengthens the qualitative advantage of the IAF compared to other air forces in the area. With the 'Adir', the Air Force is stronger than ever", said the IAF Chief of staff  Brig. Gen. Tal Kelman at the opening plenary session of the International Air Conference, sponsored by Israel Defense and the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies.

Kelman listed the threats facing Israel and the Air Force today: Radical Islam is a threat to the countries around us and brings asymmetric warfare to the region, an arms race in the Middle East, countries securing massive arms deals, and "in our region, today's friend may be tomorrow's enemy.

"The F-35 provides a solution in preperation for an all-out war as well as the war on terror," Kelman added. "In the past, the IAF absorbed platforms and adapted them to the Air Force. Today, we must adjust ourselves to the new platform, the 'Adir'. Therefore, changes have been made in the Air Force staff, in the equipment group and, of course, in the 'Adir' squadron at the Nevatim Air Force base, which is built differently than other squadrons."