IDF fears elections will again postpone multi-year plan
05/08/2012 04:35
“Now that we are in an election year, the uncertainty surrounding the defense budget will likely continue,” senior defense official says.
Benn Gantz, helicopter Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office
With elections in the air, concern is growing in the IDF that it will again have
to delay its planned multi-year procurement plan until the formation of the next
government.
Last year, Chief of Staff Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz drafted the
Halamish multi-year budget plan that was supposed to go into effect last summer
but has been suspended pending a decision on the extent of cuts to the defense
budget.
The plan outlines development and procurement programs for the
coming five years and was supposed to replace “Tefen” – the plan in place until
2012.
“Now that we are in an election year, the uncertainty surrounding
the defense budget will likely continue,” a senior defense official said on
Monday.
In January, the IDF suspended the implementation of the
procurement plan after the Treasury announced cuts to the defense
budget.
The Halamish plan is expected to continue the investment in IDF
ground forces – started after the Second Lebanon War in 2006 – and will see the
procurement of additional missile-defense systems – like the Iron Dome and the
David’s Sling – as well as new interceptors for the Arrow ballistic
missile-defense system.
In new systems, the Artillery Corps is looking to
purchase new accurate rocket systems that would provide ground forces with
standoff precision attack capabilities without needing to rely on the air force
for air support.
The plan is also expected to lead to a dramatic boost in
Israel’s intelligence-collection capabilities – with the procurement of new
special electronics mission aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles – as well as
new defenses for critical military infrastructure from cyber-attacks by
countries like Iran.