Elbit wins MoD contract to maintain all of the IAF's F-16 fighter jets
New national maintenance center will look after on board avoionics for the next 11 years.
By YAAKOV LAPPINIAF F-16 fighter jet(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE)
The Ministry of Defense awarded Elbit Systems an 11-year contract to maintain all of the Israel Air Force’s F-16 squadrons, the defense company announced Sunday.According to terms of the $90 million contract, Elbit will establish a national maintenance center that will look after all the onboard avionics of the IAF’s F-16 A/Bs (Netz), F-16 C/Ds (Barak) and F-16Is (Sufa).All of the planes’ systems, except the body and engine, will be maintained under the contract, an Elbit spokeswoman said.“Elbit Systems has recognized the growing global trend of maintenance and logistic support services performed via outsourcing,” said Elbit president and chief executive officer Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis.“This method of service provides availability of the relevant systems while saving costs, and we have been active in these types of services both in Israel and around the world.”Elbit’s products and services include the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), unmanned aircraft systems, electro-optic space systems, defenses against electronic warfare, and a range of military communications solutions.The company also focuses on upgrading existing military platforms.In November, Elbit said it would begin installing its J-Music anti-missile laser protection system on German Air Force transport planes.
