Janes Defence Weekly,
The Israel Air Force (IAF) is seriously considering procurement of Bell/ Boeing V-22 Osprey multimission tiltrotor aircraft, defence sources have told JDW.
The IAF is preparing to issue a request for information in the coming months and is sending its Chief of Air Directorate for Helicopters, Brigadier General 'Tamir', to fly the aircraft in the US.
Offering a range greater than 1,000 km and a speed of 275 kt – much faster than most helicopters – the V-22 is being considered by the IAF for special forces missions as well as search and rescue. “It could provide new dimensions to IAF capabilities, especially now that Israel is facing a distant developing threat from Iran,” an industry source told JDW. “With the V-22's air-to-air refuelling capability, the range could even be further extended, providing the IAF with new deterrent capabilities.”
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