Major-General Ido Nehushtan
Photo: Sivan Faraj
IAF chief says preparing options for Iran
In honor of Air Force's 61st anniversary, Major-General Ido Nehushtan speaks of future's challenges, warplanes
Air Force Commander Major-General Ido Nehushtan said Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces was preparing for any option in terms of the Iranian nuclear threat.
As part of the IAF's operational activity in the past year, the commander said, the force has been cooperating with field units, particularly during the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
"The State of Israel has said that any other solution to the issue is preferable, but at the same time, the army understands its duty to prepare other options and acts accordingly," Nehushtan said in a press briefing in honor of the IAF's 61st anniversary.
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"We are facing a spectrum of close and distant threats, and are working to provide a suitable response to each of them. We have technological, operational and professional challenges which require excellent people, and we are doing everything in order to hold on to the human capital."
Asked to elaborate on the Iranian issue and the recent clashes in the Islamic republic following the disputed presidential elections, Nehushtan said it was too early to make any statements and understand the process taking place there.
He added that the Middle East was in the process of a change, implying – among other things – to efforts exerted by countries in the close vicinity to obtain more advanced weapons.
"We are studying the ramifications of these processes and will naturally have to adapt to any development," he said.
As for the Air Force getting supplies of the future F-35 warplane, the IAF commander noted that the matter was still being examined and negotiated, including all implications. He added that if an agreement would be signed next year, the first aircraft would arrive in Israel in 2014.
