An Examination of the United States' Role in the Development of the Israeli Lavi Fighter Aircraft Program
Abstract
Security assistance is an outward sign of the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. has used security assistance as an aid to its foreign policy objectives of providing for Israel's security, promoting stability in the Middle East, and containing Soviet expansion into the area. For the purpose of this research, security assistance was examined through an analysis of the U.S. role in the development of the Israeli Lavi fighter aircraft program. The methodology included an overview of Israel's historical dependence on U.S. aid. This research addressed the following objective questions: (1) why did Israel want to build the Lavi when there were several advanced fighters already available; (2) why did the United States fund the Lavi; and (3) what did the Lavi project accomplish in terms of U.S. foreign policy? The examination of the Lavi analyzed how Israel developed the initial proposal for the aircraft, how they acquired the funds and technology from the U.S., how the program costs escalated, why the project was cancelled, and how Israel will meet future threats to its security. Also examined were the effects the Lavi had on promoting U.S. foreign policy goals in the Middle East and if those goals were met. Keywords: Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201537
Entities
People
- Duane M. Petzoldt
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology