Shalom Chaim,
I am convinced that a real source of Israel vulnerability is it reliance on US to supply technology, parts, upgrades, training and other technological and maintenance components for its fleet of jet fighters. It is indisputable that IAF's supremacy is the key component in Israel's military doctrine and is the military linchpin upon which the security of Israel is based on. Therefore, by solely entrusting and relying on its US "ally" to provide this technology, Israel severely limits its independence and has put herself in a weak position - a subject of blackmail. I think that one of the reasons that Bibi did and will not strike at Iran is that antisemitic US administrations of today and of yesterday, effectively have threatened Israel to deny her of the air-supremacy over the neighbors by withdrawing technology, delaying necessary parts shipment, providing superior technology to surrounding muslime regimes, etc, etc. This is a real problem. Now, to my question.
Imagine you are a PM of Israel. Knowing that:
1) It is extremely expensive and, perhaps, not even feasible for a small state like Israel to create a 5th and 6th generation fighter jet platforms on its own.
2) Even if Israel independently develops its own advanced fighter platform there are still questions whether Israel is capable of manufacturing and maintenance - another two extremely labor-intensive and expensive propositions? Also, who is to say that Israel, having forsaken its own development of jets since LAVI/KFIR (30 years ago?), has now the resources, technological capacity and scientific expertise to develop anything, at least competitive, to US 5th generation F22 Raptors which are continuously modernizing. Even for US, it was such an expensive program that there are very limited supplies of F22 on duty and it took joint effort of Boeing to Northrop Grumman to produce one.
3) Furthermore, even if, by a miracle or without, challenges # 1 & 2 are to be overcome - Sweden's SAAB, for example, produces its own jet fighter, you realize that it will take not only expenses but, most crucially, TIME - the most expensive resource. Perhaps, it will take 5, but most probably 10 years for Israel to produce its own wonder jet. In a meantime, something, very advanced and in large quantities has to fly over Israel's skies and protect its citizens. To complicate things further, Israel also needs transport aviation, helicopters, ammunition, howitzers, etc, etc.
How do you address this critical issue that contributes so much to making Israel a vassal state? I believe that in a long-term all these challenges could be overcome but, in a meantime, how do you, as Kahanist PM, will navigate the course of Israel diplomacy? How do you position this real concern with an Israeli citizens? I really appreciate your thought on this subject.