(Globes) Ran Dagoni - Sources close to Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Monday at the end of his meeting with President Obama that Israel has asked for military aid totaling $50 billion over ten years, starting in 2018. The new $5 billion per year figure includes not only the annual defense aid, but also the separate American investment in the development of missile interceptor systems like the Iron Dome and the Arrow. According to the current agreement, through 2017, America provides Israeli military aid worth $3.1 billion annually. The funds for the missile interceptor systems - which is approved separately each year - have reached $750 million. The negotiations are expected to continue a number of months. The sources said that Netanyahu emphasized the technological changes to the security sector which require significant investments in the development of new defensive measures and advanced weaponry. The prime minister noted that he was aware of U.S. budget restrictions, but added: "If you look at the American aid to Israel and the mutual utility it produces, what Israel is asking for is not exceptional, it is not such a large investment."
2015-11-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive